To address the medical needs of patients in far-flung island communities and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, the Department of Health in Calabarzon bought the first sea ambulance for the region, said Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo.
Janairo said the first sea ambulance will be deployed in the rural health unit of Panukulan in Quezon province. This will serve the Polillo Group of islands which lies on the southeast part of the province.
He said seven more sea ambulances will purchased for the other island communities of Quezon—Alabat, Calauag, Patnanungan, Perez, Quezon and Polilio.
He said sea ambulance will help ensure a faster response to deliver, transport and provide emergency health care to patients in need of immediate treatment.
The purchase of the first sea ambulance, Janairo said, was made possible through a sub-allotment fund of P21,000 from the DOH central office. This was made through the Health Facilities Enhancement Program that aims to provide medical transport to patients living in island communities for access to quality health care services.
“We still have to furnish the needed medical equipment and emergency kits that will be placed inside the sea ambulance,” said Janairo.
He assured they will endeavor to acquire them immediately in order to complete its emergency care services.
He related that the sea ambulance is just one aspect of the Universal Health Care system’s implementation. He said this is not only for patients needing immediate medical treatment in a hospital, but also for giving preventive health care services.
So, we need here mobility or referral system from the place of the incident until a patient reaches the nearest Rural Health Unit or hospital.
Janairo also noted that mobility through sea ambulance is very important and this one aspect in health services that they would strengthen.
He added that patients from the island communities that will be transported by the sea ambulance will be directed to the Claro M. Recto Memorial Hospital, a 25-bed capacity health facility located in Infanta town.
“All RHU of Polilio will be attached to the mainland hospital at and we will prioritize the RHU of Panukulan and patients who are needing immediate medication, we will use telemedicine to access specialists in Manila,” said Janairo.
Janairo also reminded that the purchase of the sea ambulance came from taxpayer’s money.
The turn-over ceremony of the sea ambulance was held in Barangay Libjo Beach, Infanta, Quezon on Sept. 6, 2019.
The sea ambulance can ply to Panukulan from Infanta to at 45 minutes in good weather condition with a speed of about 30 knots.
The Municipality of Panukulan is located at the northern tip of Polillo Island which is 26 nautical miles (48 kilometers) from Infanta, Quezon. It is bounded by the Philippine Sea in the North, Burdeos on the East, Polillo on the South, and Polilio Strait in the West