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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH Red Cross, PMA strengthen ties to respond to mass casualty incidents

PH Red Cross, PMA strengthen ties to respond to mass casualty incidents

Published May 25, 2023 10:21 am
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) on Thursday, May 25, announced their strengthened collaboration to serve the country together in case of mass casualty incidents (MCIs). (Philippine Red Cross / Manila Bulletin)

In an intensification of the partnership ceremony, PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard J. Gordon said that the country needs to prepare for more frequent events happening around the world. The Philippines, Gordon noted, is "ranked number one in disaster risk" such as a powerful earthquake. The partnership between the Red Cross and the PMA, he added, is an "excellent way to be prepared." Gordon explained that more frequent and catastrophic events are happening worldwide. "We cannot wish away these events," he said. "What we need to do is prepare for them," he added. The PRC and PMA agreed to optimize the services and emergency response they are offering. In cases where there are insufficient patient beds, the Red Cross said it could build medical tents where doctors will be needed or train further in MCI simulations to prepare for deployment at the scene after the impact of the incident. Moreover, the agreement between PRC and PMA will also help lessen the number of victims in large-scale disasters, especially earthquakes. The PRC also said that there are first aiders in every barangay and community to help ensure that can respond immediately in the aftermath of an MCI. The organizations' first cooperation was in 2015 when they trained together in preparation for the deployment of medical doctors in PRC’s emergency field hospitals and emergency medical units (EMU). Member doctors of the PMA also served as volunteers in PRC’s EMUs during the 2018 and 2019 Traslacion (Feast of the Black Nazarene), a massive annual gathering of Catholic devotees. The PMA doctors were also deployed at PRC’s Covid-19 isolation facilities in the Ateneo De Manila University and University of the Philippines Diliman in 2021. *(Rhowen Del Rosario)*

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