ZAMBOANGA CRISIS 2013: NEW LIFE AMIDST THE STAND-OFF

The Zamboanga City Crisis 2013 or the MNLF Stand-off sow fear and anxiety among the citizens of Zamboanga City, especially that this has already lingered for six days and counting.

Bullets, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), mortars are fired.
But the weapons do not choose the targets...
Red Cross volunteers who are there to serve are injured because of a fired mortar ...

This atrocity conveys death, danger, bloodshed, injuries, fear, panic and extends to public health and economic issues. Imagine, the number of evacuees has escalated to 40,000 according to ZC Mayor Beng Climaco as of September 14, 2013! 

But on the other hand, life goes on...
And, amidst this chaos, new lives are born.

Here are images of innocence and new life:
* after midnight of Day 1
~~~~~ a mother delivered a well baby at home and arrived at CMZ at about 2 a.m. (after midnight of Day 1) and needed newborn care!

** Day 3:  8 p.m. A mother delivered baby in another hospital where initial care rendered and transferred to CMZ because needed further care.

*** arrived in CMZ Day 5 at about 6:15 p.m. 
~~~~~  an indigent mother from Basilan was in Taluksangay and had labor in the midst of the skirmish.
~~~~~ mother brought to other hospital but baby had difficulty in breathing and needed oxygen, thus, transferred to CMZ for further care.
~~~~~ upon arrival, Oxygen saturation of baby is 79% 

Upon arrival...

~~~~~ care given and Oxygen saturation increased to 97% and admitted.

before transport

During the Zamboanga Crisis, one of our first admissions was a pregnant mother who couldn't get into ZCMC as the danger was escalating.

Throughout the six days, there have been more pregnant women  who delivered.

~~~~~ ✠✠✠~~~~~✠✠✠~~~~~

We feel for the newborn, who are brought into this uncertain world... and we hope and pray, not unfriendly in the days to come.

They are our inspiration to make the world a better place to live in!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO NEW LIFE... NEW HOPE !!!

And WE PRAY:

Lord, heal our land
Father, heal our land
Hear our cry and turn our nation back to You.

Lord, heal our land
Hear us oh, Lord, and heal our land
Forgive our sin and heal our broken land.

  

ZAMBOANGA CRISIS 2013: NO PAL FLIGHTS UP TO SEPT. 21, 2013

September 13, 2013

Tonight, at about 10 p.m., I was called by a lady named Lian representing PAL Express, who informed me that my PAL Express flight next week is already cancelled and the PAL advisory is until September 21, 2013. She also added that they cannot assure us of the September 22 flights. 

She gave the options for me whether to cancel the flights and be refunded in full or I rebook the flights within one month from today without any penalty. The PAL Express number she gave is (02)855-9000.

Then, I saw the Ms. Mary June Bugante's Facebook post:

This is for your information and guidance....

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!

ZAMBOANGA CRISIS: 8 PM TO 5 AM CURFEW SET

Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue (did you know this is Nunez Extension's present name!)

For the past three nights, the authorities have set an 8 pm to 5 am CURFEW for the City of Zamboanga. 

From the Philippine Inquirer dated September 9, 2013

MANILA, Philippines – Curfew was imposed in Zamboanga City on Monday following a standoff between government troops and  Moro National Liberation Front gunmen.

“With the current situation in the City, Mayor Beng Climaco is declaring the imposition of curfew in Zamboanga City starting 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.,” the Zamboanga City posted in its Twitter account.

Curfew was authorized by the city council, which met on a special session Monday afternoon, it added.

“Only people working directly in managing situation will be permitted to go around the city including those in the medical profession,” it also said.

Those working for evacuation and distribution of relief goods are permitted to go around the city...

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/484233/8-p-m-to-5-a-m-curfew-up-in-zambo-city-classes-work-suspended#ixzz2ebrNIYaq 
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

Let us just follow the rules since this actually keeps us safe... no mistaken identities... decreased risk for stray bullets... no risk for hostage-taking... no unnecessary interrogations and detentions... and no unnecessary movements in the streets which confuses issues!

It does sound strange, but everything is strange in this unusual time of Crisis!

Curfews... MNLF... hovering choppers... no inbound and outbound flights... no banks... no businesses... no stores... people in fear and panic... escape... hostage taking... bloodshed... poor policemen and soldiers in the frontline... blasts... mortars and RPGs (including those that don't explode)... MNLF checkpoints... exchange of fires... docking and taking cover... evacuation... no food... affected infrastructure... barangays in danger, with our friends in uncertainty... worst hospital situations... abandonment of posts... security issues... lack of resources... lack of suppliers...and the list goes on.

In the hospital setting, it is so difficult to get the balance of our call for service and the security of those who will provide the healthcare service... and to provide the service for new patients while still keeping resources for those who are already in!!!

But always remember to check if: THE SCENE IS SAFE!

But it also has brought about the SPIRIT OF UNITY AND LOVE... and the value of PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE!

Coming on duty in spite of the uncertain safety and security issues... being competent... being responsible... being selfless... knowing the risks but still keeping the fort... being united with the common goal... acquiring positive attitudes... cooperation and obedience emanates... no negative vibes... appreciating meager resources and little deeds of kindness... being more resourceful and gain initiative... unity in diversity... unity in adversity... showing empathy... calls of concerns from family and friends... valuing our individual roles and contributions... realization of how important we are to each other! 

With every adversity, there is always something GREAT that will come out of it!

But, we have to find it out for ourselves... have the realization to make the best of everything!!!

ZCMC SCENES ON THE DAYS OF THE ZAMBOANGA CRISIS SEPTEMBER 2013

I am not connected with the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC), but I am intrigued (and shocked!!!) with such a far-fetched situation the main government hospital is in now! 

It is quite unfortunate that the hospital (and my clinic) is located in Sta. Catalina and close to Sta. Barbara where the Zamboanga Crisis is happening.

When the MRI engineer asked our technologist, "How far is ZCMC from the affected area?" and she answered, "Just a hollow block wall separating the two places!" So you can imagine WHY the evacuation should take place!!!

Here are images from the GBPI TV 11 footages which I photographed from TV:

the main entrance of the Zamboanga City Medical Center...

this is my clinic across the ZCMC!

never in our farthest dream...

Even if we consider terrorism as one of the major risks in our City, it is unimaginable that the main government hospital would completely evacuate and relocate to the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) gym.

There were also many patients who decided to go home whether with advice or against advice rather than stay at the WMSU gym, but of course, there were still many patients to serve.

So here are some images at the WMSU Gym from Dr. George Rojo:

 

I was attracted by the status posted by my friend, Dr. Afdal Kunting which goes this way:

So many unsung heroes in this crisis.. Those ambulance drivers with steely nerves, the IWs who carried, lifted and dragged patients and equipment, with some even being shot at by snipers, the hospital and agency guards who braved the dead of night... The efficient nurses, supply, pharmacy, laboratory pips... We have lived up to the grand legacy of our hospital... Happy 95th anniversary ZCMC!

Don't you think his message encapsulates the essence of ZCMC in the midst of the crisis? I believe it really does!!! (Would be nice if you drop a comment if you agree!)

In the next days, we do hope this Zamboanga crisis will be solved favorably.

We know the hostages, evacuees and those who live in the affected areas are in a more dismal situation and things will be better for them only if the Zamboanga crisis will end. 

a beautiful image of optimism = = from Joko R.

Let us all pray together for the immediate resolution of this situation!!!

NO, I CAN'T ATTEND THE H.M.A. 2013 BANGKOK!

The Chief Executive Officer, the Medical Director and the Human Resource Manager in our institution are given the wonderful opportunity to attend the Hospital Management Asia 2013 in Bangkok!

However, with the ongoing Zamboanga Crisis, the inbound and outbound flights to and from Zamboanga City are cancelled for the past three days and including tomorrow.

Though, we are so excited about the trip, it seems it really isn't meant to be!

We have been wondering why we couldn't leave... there must be a reason...BUT WHAT?

I thought that today would be a standstill... then, suddenly, we heard firing shots in the Canelar area, which sounded just as if it was at our backs.
Interesting, that today is also September 11, better known as 9/11!

This definitely, created panic among the people in the hospital, who dropped down to the floor to take cover and also to the people in the area, who ran and sought temporary refuge in the hospital .

A doctor commented: "Now I can absolutely relate to people living in Syria and iraq. Bombs exploding, rapid gunfire and helicopter flying just above us. God have mercy on us...".

Pres. Dr. Joven, CEO Atty. Jhi, CFO Charm, AO Ruby Puzon and HRM Juvee were around to facilitate things, though, I could imagine how hard they tried to keep their cool... and to try to keep the rest of the workforce and patients/relatives from panic!

Now, we understand why we couldn't leave... 
we would have felt we abandoned CMZ...and...
how heavy our hearts would be with what happened to Ciudad Medical Zamboanga today if we were far away!

Very soon, it is the Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar, Zamboanga City's patroness...

With her intercession, we know the crisis would end very soon and Zamboanga City will continue to be blessed! 

Let us continue to pray for Zamboanga City!