Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 28) — A group of medical professionals is going out of its way to help improve the country’s handling of the pandemic amid the Omicron wave.
Hospital on Wheels (HOW) Philippines, through its initiative of the same name, is providing free medications and other services for COVID and non-COVID patients alike.
“Ngayong pandemic, talagang malaki ang kakulangan sa health care delivery system natin [We lack so much in our health care delivery system this pandemic], so what we do is we bring the hospital at your doorstep, close to the community,” Dr. Jim Sanchez, founder of HOW, told CNN Philippines on Friday.
The group provides all sorts of services, such as surgeries, treatments (including medications), vision screening (including eyeglasses), dental services, and telemedicine.
“Kapag may restrictions, sa aking sariling operating room, ginagawa ko ‘yung charity cases,” Sanchez said. “At least once every week, meron akong day allotted for charity cases.”
[Translation: Every time restrictions are in place, I work on charity cases in my own operating room. I do that at least once every week.]
Hospital on Wheels caters to all patients nationwide, even in far-flung areas. Those in need may reach them through:
Hotlines: 8990-9190
09270577862 / 09308181467
Email: jimsanchez_ph@yahoo.com
Facebook: Hospital on Wheels Philippines
YouTube channel: Dr. Jim Sanchez
Address: Room 402, 4th floor, Pacific Century Tower, 1472 Quezon Avenue, Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City
Sanchez said they also operate a “first-aid call center” manned by health professionals — where people can run to for advice and consultations — noting the influx of patients in some hospitals.
They have also established a 24/7 emergency medical service, delivering free oxygen tanks to COVID-19 patients, he added.
Aside from these services, the group also conducts feeding missions through the “Healthy Lugaw on Wheels” initiative, citing the problem of hunger amid the health crisis. It said it has so far fed at least 30,000 poor beneficiaries.
