The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) fielded eight military nurses to the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City on Monday, Oct. 11, to augment its workforce while dealing with a recent spike of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
Col. Fatima Claire Navarro, AFP Surgeon General, led the send-off ceremony for the eight Nurse Corps Officers at the Lung Center of the Philippines.
"We are all equally affected by the impact of the pandemic but in situations when our fellow healthcare workers are feeling low, a friend or even a stranger who will extend sincere help, expecting nothing in return, may be the beacon of hope," Navarro said.
The AFP Surgeon General said two teams from the AFP Nurse Corps will undergo one month of deployment at the hospital in accordance to the memorandum of agreement entered upon by the AFP and Department of Health (DOH).
The first team is composed of reservists with members 2nd Lts. Federico Muyco, Joey Cabaluna, and Lavina Augusto. Meanwhile, the second team includes 1st Lt. Fernando Velarde, 2nd Lts. Raul Ramos and Abner Andamon, and Probationary 2nd Lts. Chrissen Valmonte and Leslie Ann Munez.
Navarro said the nurses had previous assignments in different hospitals in Metro Manila, and in Visayas and Mindanao. Fourof them were previously deployed in Davao, two came from Cebu, and two tohers are from the V. Luna Medical Center.
Prior to their assignment, the eight nurses were subjected to a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test where they yielded negative results. They will also undergo RT-PCR testing every two weeks to monitor their condition.
Navarro said the teams' deployment will be reviewed before the end of their assignment to determine if there will be a need for another extension.
Meanwhile, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. praised the military nursesfor "answering the call" to assist their fellow healthcare workers in the frontline of the pandemic.
"Their dedication, strength, and bravery will boost the morale of their fellow frontline workers and will definitely help the government in addressing the needs of our people," Faustino said.