Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 22) — c
PRC chief Sen. Richard Gordon told CNN Philippines’ The Source on Thursday that the enlistment would compensate for the lack of doctors and nurses in different parts of the country.
“Ang kulang, doctors and nurses. Kahit magdagdag ka ng kama, kung kulang ang doctors and nurses, nakikita mo under siege ang ating health system,” he said.
[Translation: We lack doctors and nurses. Even if you add beds but do not have doctors or nurses, you will realize that our health system is under siege.]
The PRC is already constructing its first emergency field hospital at the Lung Center of the Philippines compound. They are also working on getting room for another field hospital at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center and National Kidney Transplant Institute.
“Ang gusto ko nga magkaroon tayo ng medic volunteers. Hindi duktor, hindi nurse,” he said. “Kung mag-train tayo ng mga tao ng one to two weeks na kahit sa veterinary medicine sila or dentist, or merong college o high school degree, you can test them, let them monitor,” he added.
[Translation: What I want is to have medic volunteers. They do not have to be a doctor nor a nurse. If we train them for one or two weeks, even those with a background in veterinary medicine or dentistry, or simply college or high school graduates, you can test them, let them monitor.]
“Ginagawa ‘yan kapag may giyera. Kahit mga 18 years old pwedeng tumulong. Makakatulong silang mag-monitor ng may sakit,” Gordon added.
[Translation: They do it in times of war. Even 18 year olds can help. They can assist in monitoring the sick.]
He said the government must also consider providing support for potential volunteers by putting them in the vaccine priority so they can immediately be of service.
The emergency field hospital at the Lung Center compound will cater to those who have tested positive and may need access to doctors, nurses, X-ray and CT-scan services, and other medical facilities, Gordon noted.
Some hospitals in Metro Manila and nearby provinces remain full, barely feeling the effect of the enhanced community quarantine imposed nearly two weeks ago.
Last month, Gordon called for medical workers who want to volunteer in the organization’s vaccination activities.
READ: Gordon calls for volunteer medical workers for Red Cross vaccination team
