The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) conducted a simulation of the emergency field hospital (EFH) operation to prepare the proper coordination and dynamics of the flow of operation between Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) and the EFH amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country.
PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Senator Richard Gordon led the simulation on Wednesday, April 28. Other expected attendees were Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, LCP Executive Director Dr. Vincent Balanag Jr., and Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Vice-Chairman Testing Czar Secretary Vince Dizon.
LOOK: The Philippine Red Cross to open Emergency Field Hospitals that will serve as additional wards. This will help the Lung Center of the Philippines free bed spaces allowing admission of more patients in need of immediate hospital care. pic.twitter.com/yzpN6nYDsd
— Philippine Red Cross (@philredcross) April 28, 2021
“We are in a war situation against COVID-19,” Gordon said, noting that the health care system in the National Capital Region (NCR)-plus region is “totally challenged due to the increasing cases of COVID-positive individuals.”
Gordon noted that through the EFHs of the PRC, “this will help serve more patients needing immediate health care.”
The PRC will also open its EFH with 18 tents at the LCP compound in response to the overwhelming volume of people needing admission. Gordon immediately ordered the deployment of the EFH to serve as an extension for LCP to handle the increasing demand for beds in hospitals.
This will help LCP free bed spaces allowing admission of more severe cases in need of immediate hospital care. The EFHs, Gordon said, will serve as ward extension, triage, nurse station at x-ray area.
“Ito ay agarang tugon sa kakulangan ng kama sa ospital habang patuloy na tumataas ang bilang ng mga pasyente na kailangan ng atensyong medikal (This is an immediate response to the lack of hospital beds as the number of patients in need of medical attention continues to rise,” Gordon explained.
The field hospital is equipped with 64-beds with medical equipment such as oxygen tanks, ECG machine, PPV and Intubation set, Automated External Defibrillator, and other basic ward facilities that will serve mild to severe cases.
The EFH is also equipped with air-conditioning units to ensure proper ventilation.
Meanwhile, Gordon thanked those who helped to ensure that EFHs will be created. “Kudos to all the Red Cross volunteers and staff, the Quezon City LGU, and to all our donors for working day and night to make all these possible,” he added.