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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider PH Red Cross receives donation of specialized ambulance fleet

PH Red Cross receives donation of specialized ambulance fleet

Published Apr 27, 2020 12:00 am
By Mario Casayuran The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) now has a specialized ambulance fleet, its chairman Senator Richard J. Gordon said, after PRC received brand new emergency vehicles imported from China through Foton Motors Philippines. These will be added to PRC’s arsenal together with its newly built COVID-19 molecular laboratory and testing facility and the recent launch of COVID-19 Hotline 1158. Gordon said PRC now has the first negative pressure ambulance fleet in the country with six fully-equipped specialized emergency vehicles currently in operation. When asked how these specialized ambulance units could assist the PRC, Safety Services Manager Mr. Von Ryan Ong said they are valuable assets in the fight against COVID-19. "It serves as another layer of protection as it protects patients and our EMTs (emergency medical technicians) from cross-contaminating one another," he explained. These vehicles, according to Ong, are equipped with a patient isolation chamber, and a negative pressure cabin which lowers air pressure and disinfects and filters the air. “These negative pressure ambulance vehicles are the first in the country,’’ Gordon said. He added that the PRC will be using these emergency vehicles, together with a dedicated and specialized EMS team, to focus on responding to COVID-19 emergencies. They can also be used for future outbreaks of communicable diseases. "This reinforces Philippine Red Cross’ true mantra of Always FIRST, Always READY, and Always THERE,’’ he said. The specialized vehicles are part of a donation from the Security Bank Corporation, Australian Aid, Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Since March 17, the Philippine Red Cross Emergency Medical Services (EMS) have already transported 23 COVID-19 related cases. With the new fleet of specialized negative pressure ambulance units, PRC is geared up to cater to more COVID-19-related emergencies. Gordon said that with the PRC's COVID-19 Hotline 1158, the molecular laboratory and testing center, and specialized negative pressure ambulance fleet, the Red Cross is ready to fight the COVID-19 outbreak.
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