By Martin Sadongdong
A team of medical experts who have just arrived from China will reinforce the expertise and knowledge of local health workers battling the coronavirus pandemic.
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr.
(OPAPP / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
National Action Plan (NAP) Chief Carlito Galvez Jr., secretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), said on Sunday night that the experience of the Chinese experts in dealing with the coronavirus will be helpful in flattening the curve of the COVID-19 outbreak.
"I believe this is a good gesture. Parang ito ay some sort of reinforcement sa ating health workers, kasi at least sila ay may expertise," Galvez said in an interview over ANC.
(It's like some sort of reinforcement of our health workers, because at least they have the expertise.)
On Sunday afternoon (April 5), a 12-member team of Chinese doctors and experts arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) "to support the country's fight against the pandemic," Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said.
The Chinese team, according to the Chinese Embassy, has firsthand experience dealing with COVID-19 cases in Hubei province in China where the virus originated.
Medical supplies and equipment were also turned over by the Chinese team to local officials, including 300,000 surgical masks, 30,000 N95 masks, 5,000 protective suits, 5,000 face shields, and 30 non-invasive ventilators.
"Nakita natin na malaki ang naitutulong nila at marami silang dinalang PPEs (We see that they are a big help, and they brought a lot of personal protective equipment). They have more than six tons of equipment na dinala, nila pati (that they brought, including) respirators," Galvez said.
"Palagay ko po magandang diplomatic gesture ito sa ating Chinese government." (I think this is a good diplomatic gesture of the Chinese government.)
But most importantly, Galvez said it is the experience of the Chinese experts that will help local health workers manage the surge of COVID-19 cases and save lives.
"They have the experience from December to March, so 'yung experience nila napakalaki para ma-iano 'yung lessons learned on how we could provide very intensive healthcare sa ating mga kababayan na naapektuhan," he said.
(They have the experience from December to March so they have a lot of experience and lessons to share on how we could provide very intensive healthcare to our countrymen who were affected.)
As of 4 p.m. Sunday, the Department of Health said there were 3,246 confirmed cases with 152 deaths and 64 recoveries in the country.