BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- Department of Health - Cordillera   underscored the importance of the Universal Health Care (UHC) which is manifested in the response efforts of the Health Department and other sectors to the earthquake-stricken areas.
 
Regional Director Rio Magpantay stated that with the UHC, hospitals and various sectors from other regions are providing augmentation in healthcare facilities in Abra.

Moreover,  patients in the province that cannot be treated with the present situation are being referred to and accommodated in the hospitals outside the province such as the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Ilocos Sur.

 
"'Yun po ang kahalagahan ng ating Universal Health Care, saan mang sulok, kalusugan  maaabot," Magpantay emphasized. 

 UHC is the provision of the highest possible quality of health care to every Filipino by the government through adequate health human resources, health facilities, and health financing.

Earlier, the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) deployed 35 hospital personnel composed of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, radiologists and EMT-trained staff to augment the medical needs of patients outside  the Abra Provincial Hospital APH).

The team brought anesthesia machine, x-ray machine, hospital supplies, medicines, cot beds, tent generators, and emergency light which will be utilized during the augmentation.

Aside from BGHMC, the Ilocos Training Regional Medical Center, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center, Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team, and Cagayan Valley Medical Center sent personnel to augment healthcare providers at APH.
 
"Ang mahalaga po ngayon ay matugunan 'yung pangangailangan ng mga pasyente na nasa labas at siguraduhin natin na 'yung COVID-19 ay hindi pa rin po kakalat," Magpantay said.
 
He is optimistic that the DOH Central Office will immediately release the funding for the repair of the APH and other health facilities destroyed by the strong quake.
 
Meanwhile, Magpantay reminded the public especially those who are in the evacuation centers to strictly follow the public health and safety standards to avoid the spread of COVID-19. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)