The Philippine Medical Association is reactivating its “typhoon-tested” project called “DOCTORS ON BOATS” to penetrate non-passable, and deeply-flooded areas devastated by storms to deliver crucial medical services and relief to the stranded victims of calamities nationwide.
Its president, Benito Atienza, said the boat doctors included other frontliners such as psychologists, psychiatrists and even spiritual leaders to provide mind and spirit support to the flood victims.
He said the Philippines was experiencing a “triple whammy” of calamities brought about by series of typhoons that were creating additional misery to an already suffering nation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Harry Roque assured typhoon victims that “We will not allow you to be isolated. We will not let you down.”
Senator Francis Pangilinan said the price freeze on basic commodities should be strictly imposed in the typhoon-hit areas.
“Let us do everything to ease the burden of our countrymen who were badly hit by typhoon ‘Rolly’,” Pangilinan said.
“We also urge the local governments to consider declaring a state of calamity so that they are able to utilize additional funds, as well as to guard against inevitable price hikes due to the higher demand for basic goods.”
Atienza said they were also opening their doors at their main office on North Avenue in Quezon City, as well as the offices of their local chapters or societies nationwide to people who would like to donate relief for the typhoon victims.
“Through our DOCTORS ON BOATS program, we will once again serve not only the crucial medical needs of our people but also address their psychosocial processing needs in this current crisis while bringing to them much-needed relief goods and drinking water,” he said.
Some of PMA partners are the Beta Sigma Fraternity National Assembly-Medical Group, Clean Air Philippines Movement Inc., League of Data Privacy and Cyber Security Advocates of the Philippines Inc., and Private Hospitals Associations of the Philippines Inc. in the ongoing free telemedicine service for the Filipinos called DOCPH.
Atienza said the PMA was also partnering with the Philippine National Police through its Maritime Command.
He said they were taking an active part to help the people amid the coronavirus disease 2019 and the onslaught of the recent typhoons.
“We are calling on everybody to help the victims of the recent calamities by sending the much-needed relief goods to all our offices nationwide so we can distribute them to the storm victims. We are opening our offices to accept any goodness from your caring and altruistic hearts,” he said.