The Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PIAHC) has been actively engaged in rescue and medical operations in response to the devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar last March 28.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Sunday, April 6, that the PIAHC has established a tent hospital located near the Bomingaung Temple in the ancient city of Bagan, central plains of Myanmar.
The Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team (PEMAT) Type 1 fixed hospital provided free check-ups and medicines to the earthquake victims, and was launched with representatives from the Myanmar Ministry of Health and Ministry of Information.
“The hospital has already seen significant demand for medical services, with a queue forming shortly after it opened,” OCD Administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said.
Since April 3, the tent hospital has accommodated 94 patients: 68 for general medicine cases, 20 for surgical issues, and two each for pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and orthopedic cases.
The OCD said that among the patients treated, 71 were female and 23 were male.
Of the cases, 22 were directly related to the earthquake, 14 were indirectly related, and 56 were unrelated. One patient with neonatal sepsis was referred to the 200-bed general hospital in Pyinmana town, in the capital city of Nay Pyi Taw.
Meanwhile, an augmentation team from the PIAHC was deployed at Lewe Township Hospital, south of the capital Nay Pyi Taw. It conducted 17 medical consultations, including six cases of general medicine, six surgical cases, four orthopedic cases, and one obstetric case. Four cases were indirectly related to the earthquake, while the remainder were unrelated to the quake.
“The Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent remains committed to supporting affected communities in Myanmar and will provide further updates as operations continue,” Nepomuceno said.
More than 3,300 individuals were killed while over 4,500 were wounded in the powerful quake, according to officials in Myanmar.