BANGUED, Abra (PIA)--The Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team (PEMAT) of the Department of Health is in the province to augment medical services to the Abra Provincial Hospital in the aftermath of the July 27, 2022 magnitude 7 earthquake that rocked parts of Luzon.

Outpatient services such as wellness and prevention services, diagnostic services, treatments, and rehabilitation are being provided at   the Sports Complex in Bangued.  

Other services include pharmacy, laboratory services, mental health services, COVID-19 test, dengue test, mother and child clinic, observation areas,  either for admission or not.

The team started operations on July 30 and ends on August 10, 2022.

 Dr Leslie Rosario, PEMAT Team Leader, said patients served range from more than 100 on  first day of consultation to more than 400 a day in the succeeding days.

Common cases diagnosed include respiratory tract infection, hypertension, trauma non-earthquake related, gastrointestinal, masculo skeletal, OB-Gyne, pre-natal check up, ears-nose-throat, urinary tract infection, diabetes, skin diseases, osteo-arthritis.  There were also a number of earthquake-related cases consulted such as injuries.

 As to psychosocial support services to  those who experienced trauma due to the earthquake, an average of five to 10 patients  a day go for consultation,  according to Dr. Marvison Aquino, one of the team’s medical doctors.

 Most of the medications needed are available in the PEMAT built-in pharmacy, which augmented the available stocks from the local government, provincial and regional offices, Aquino added.

Health Emergency Management Bureau Head Dr. Irvin Miranda shared that the PEMAT is being sent to augment medical services or serves as disaster risk reduction and management team during disasters such as typhoon Yolanda and Taal Volcano eruption.

The team is composed of health personnel from government hospitals such as the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital and the Mariveles Mental Health Wellness and General Hospital.

Miranda said the team is geared for a World Health Organization verification that will allow them not only for local deployment but outside the country for health emergencies. 

Sharing her experiences serving during disasters, Rosario said, “I am more grateful na nakakatulong sa kababayan kasi in times of disaster ‘yong time na wala silang malalapitan na medical services kasi nga down nga ‘yong hospital, di makapag function, yon ‘yong time na kailangan ng medical attention.” (JDP/SCA-PIA CAR, Abra)