ZAMBOANGA CRISIS 2013: ZCMC SCENES PART II

DAY 7 of the  ZAMBOANGA CITY CRISIS 2013
(warning: another long blogpost!!!)

I was able to personally visit the WMSU gymnasium today.

The sad plight I could feel, but generally speaking, the place is very ideal as an evacuation site for the satellite hospital of the Zamboanga City Medical Center under Dr. Romeo Ong.

The place is protected from the forces of weather. Inside, it is air-conditioned, organized and clean... so definitely, a far cry from the evacuation centers. But, definitely, the place is far from the ideal hospital settings.  

Here is Dr. Giovanni Paolo Gimena, who is the HEMS Coordinator (with orange vest) at the Command Post.

Here are the other ZCMC staff and patients. 

Do not be surprised at the smiles. 

Filipinos really have a knack for being resilient to depressing situations and can smile no matter what!

The long wooden tables of the different services are lined on each side of the Gym while the beds are also grouped per ward!

Admitting Unit

CSR

Emergency Room and HEMS

Laboratory

 

Orthopedic Ward

Nutrition and Dietetics Service.
Patients and watchers line up for food.
Notice their improvised "plates" and "bowls".

 Medical / Surgical Wards

 Pediatric Ward

 We see several sets of people who come over and give food and water to the patients. (additional to the food provided by the hospital)

Touching scenes...

Doctor shares the movie with one of the displaced children there

 love still reigns in times of adversity

indeed a non-ideal situation for acute patients

the mlnourished 11 month old infant with skin disease (from Rio Hondo) recovering from LBM and dehydration now shows bright eyes and a smile!  http://inpinaysfootsteps.blogspot.com/2013/09/zamboanga-crisis-2013-new-life-amidst_15.html

It was also at this time, that the Davao Regional Hospital from Tagum set up the mobile Operating Room under the SNEP (Surgical Networking Extension Program) and led by Assistant Secretary of Health (for Mindanao), Dr. Romulo Busuego.
http://inpinaysfootsteps.blogspot.com/2013/09/zamboanga-crisis-2013-mobile-operating.html

The white tent near the stage is the mobile Operating Room

The mobile OR set-up

With Asst. Secretary Dr. Romulo Busuego of Davao Regional Hospital, USec Mila Fernandez and the new DOH-CHDIX Regional Director Dr. Nimfa Torrizo 

We left the Gymnasium at night.

It is amazing that a hospital can indeed be moved over to the gym!

We thank WMSU President, Dr. Milabel Ho for being gracious to do so. But, she is a nurse and would have the compassion for the displaced patients. 

The satellite hospital complements the Mindanao Central Sanitarium where other kinds of surgery are performed and I heard also an ICU set-up.
http://inpinaysfootsteps.blogspot.com/2013/09/zamboanga-crisis-2013-mindanao-central.html

with DOH Secretary Enrique Ona with Dr. John Anacan (ZCMS), CHO Dr. Rodel Agbulos, Ciudad Medical Zamboanga President Dr. Joven Monsanto, CMZ Medical DirectorDr. Filipinas Rojo and ZPMC Medical Director Dr. Ernesto Florendo

With the support of the Secretary of Health, Dr. Enrique Ona, who came over to see the real situation and who is in close coordination with President NoyNoy Aquino, I am hopeful that the coordination of the DOH, CHO, ZCMC, MCS and the private hospitals would be complementary and united for the common good!

HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY, JOKO!

In the midst of the war, I have to take a break (in my mind) to think of my son, Joko who is celebrating his 17th birthday today!

when he was three years old...during Christmas, he wanted blow the candles for the Christmas cake that Tita Nora made for us.... so that is why we have such big candles!

This is my message for him:

Happy birthday, Joko! I have to add 14 more candles to the cake in the picture! You know very well we would have found ways to surprise you on your very special day, but I guess, the Zamboanga Crisis 2013 is the greatest surprise of all! We already had tickets since May and we changed the tickets (got new ones) a week before the crisis, only to find out we couldn't use any of these (good thing, all tickets are refunded because of cancelled flights! lol). It is your first birthday away from us but we know how broad-minded you are now and you can understand why we have to stay in ZC! We love you so much!!! Just stay focused. Thank you for your prayers for Zamboanga!!!

I actually couldn't compose a more sentimental letter because we were on the tenth day of the Zamboanga Crisis 2013!

But, I was inspired to do so many #PRAY FOR ZAMBOANGA blogposts because of him!

He, of course, told me that I was overdoing it! 

As of now, I have 9 #PRAY FOR ZAMBOANGA posts, 1 #LORD, HEAL OUR LAND post, 1 #HANGGANG KAILAN post and 1 #HASTA CUANDO post made for In Pinay's Eyes, my other blog.http://inpinayseyes.blogspot.com/

Here are two of the posts he made...

He has grown up to be a fine, young man...

He is way much taller than me!...

And even taller than his tall Dad!

He still has a long way to go and we pray (so hard!)
... that he, too, would have a happy and fruitful life

... that he may achieve the wishes of his heart and mind 
(Joko, please stay focused and exert your best  effort so you can reach your own dreams!)

... that he may touch lives and make a difference in this world, in his own little way!

This was his Thank You message a few minutes ago, which he posted in Facebook!

We, too, would like to thank the same people he is thanking, especially, his Achek Edwin and Achim Maricar and family for taking care of him and being with him, while we are so far away!

I also like to thank my side of the family (Sanson and Ricamora side) who is also there and who he can go to at any time when Joko needs them (especially, his "cuzn" dentist Dr. Sid Ricamora and his "cuzn" dermatologist Dr. Hope Valerie Solano!).

Joko, we are so happy that you had a fun 17th birthday!