ZAMBOANGA CRISIS 2013: NEW LIFE AMIDST THE STAND-OFF Part 2

Today, September 15, 2013 is Day 7 of the Zamboanga Crisis.

I  had another view of the Crisis when I visited the Mindanao Central Sanitarium  (under the helm of Dr. Alfonso Montuno) in Pasobolong and ZCMC at the WMSU gym (under Dr. Romeo Ong).

Mindanao Central Sanitarium

inside the Mindanao Central Sanitarium

I was again given the chance to see more newborns!

I am wondering why I am seeing more babies?...

Or is it just a reality that there are really many pregnant women around who may deliver anytime.

I was asking the mothers if the delivery was premature because of the Crisis.

But, each one said, "No. I am really due to deliver!"

They were sent to the Sanitarium because the health centers were closed.

Our healthcare workers are needed at the Evacuation Centers... 

The mothers at the MCS are actually in a very good condition.

One woman came from Mercedes and delivered a baby boy.

so serenely sleeping....

A second woman came from Curuan and delivered a baby boy.

Just after breast feeding, I can see the baby smile...

A third woman came from Victoria and delivered a baby girl. 

also just after breast feeding...

Even if these baby came out at the time of the Crisis, the parents still looked calm. They appreciated that they are safe and well fed there. 

Then, we moved to the WMSU gym (thank you to Dr. Milabel Ho), and it is also a sad (but not dismal!) sight because the patients were not in an ideal situation.

But, all things considered, the place is actually an ideal evacuation site because it is clean and air-conditioned and organized. 

Congratulations to the good coordination of the ZCMC, DOH-CHD IX and WMSU here!

I saw one baby who I initially thought was a new born, but it was an eleven month old infant.

The baby came from Rio Hondo and the family moved to the Grandstand evacuation center when they were found in their banca trying to flee their place.

I was touched at how small the baby was and is malnourished. The mother said the baby had LBM (loose bowel movement) and dehydration at the evacuation center and the skin disease at the arms worsened, thus, the baby was brought to the WMSU gym and now in the Pedia ward.  

But, look at this baby! Isn't this an image of HOPE!!! 

I can see bright eyes and a smile in spite of recovering from LBM and dehydration and the skin disease is now dry.

This baby is on the road to recovery.

How, about for our City?

We do pray the Zamboanga City Crisis ends very soon...

Then, Zamboanga City, too, will be on the way to recovery!!!

HEALTH SECTOR DURING THE ZAMBOANGA CITY CRISIS 2013

September 13, 2013: 

I heard Dr. Rodel Agbulos, Zamboanga City Health Officer at the Dateline Teleradyo GBPI TV-11 on his plans for addressing Public Health issues at the Joaquin R. Enriquez Memorial Stadium (Grandstand) where about 19,000 evacuees are now stationed and he mentioned that the JSOTF (Balikatan) have also extended their help in the health and social welfare aspect.

Then, I listened to Dr. Nimfa Torrizo, the very new Regional Director of the Department of Health - Center of Health Development Region IX at Dateline Teleradyo GBPI TV-11 on her updates of the Health Sector during the Zamboanga City Crisis.

#Zamboanga City Crisis / #MNLF Stand-off

RD N. Torrizo has now shared with the community on what the DOH is doing for the Zamboanga Crisis 2013 including the following:

    1)   Operations Center is at the DOH-CHD IX at the Upper Calarian and calls are directed there with these numbers (062) 983-0934/991-3380/992-27451; 

   2)    Zamboanga City Medical Center  (now turned into the military operations center) moved to the WMSU gym where treatment for patients is ongoing; 

ZCMC now at the WMSU gym  (photo credit: Dr. George Rojo)

   3)   the Mindanao Central Sanitarium under Dr. Alfonso Montuno is also preparing the hospital especially for Surgical cases

Dr. Al Montuno, Chief of the Mindanao Central Sanitarium, where Surgical cases are sent, coordinates with Atty. Jhihann Natividad of Ciudad Medical Zamboanga for some resources which may be needed including sterilization of instruments.

   3)  Coordination with the City Health Office under Dr. Rodel Agbulos and DSWD for the health conditions of the evacuees at the Joaquin Enriquez stadium (Grandstand) and other designated evacuation centers.

   4)   that the Private Hospitals can now be tapped for patients supposed to be for the admission to the Zamboanga City Medical Center 

there is a memorandum from the department of health-center for health development ix (doh-chd ix) signed by dr. nimfa b. torrizo and dated september 11, 2013 on philhealth payment coverage for all wounded victims and all other cases secondary to the zamboanga city – mnlf standoff.

   5)  Team of physicians (mostly Surgical Team) coming from Davao City tomorrow to augment the present team of ZCMC physicians.

   6)   DOH Secretary Enrique One is at the helm of the situation and will send one of his undersecretaries  to come over.

   7)  More resources from the DOH-CHD are coming via C130 to replenish stocks.

The end of the Zamboanga Crisis is still obscure, but with the partnership of the Public and Private Sector in times of dire need, there is great hope for the Zamboanga City community!