Eight days after the Magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck large parts of Mindanao, which caused the collapse of several establishments and severe damage to buildings, infrastructure, and other facilities, including hospitals.
Many patients still require immediate medical treatment, especially in remote areas.
In response, the Department of Health (DOH) temporarily ordered the establishment of a Tent Hospital in Glan, Sarangani Province, one of the areas most affected by the earthquake, where numerous injuries and fatalities were recorded.
This was led by the Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team (PEMAT) of the DOH Cotabato Regional Medical Center to provide immediate support to patients with minor injuries who no longer need to be transported to large and distant hospitals.
The tent hospital is equipped with various medical services such as an operating room, delivery room, triage area, X-ray and ultrasound, mobile clinic, observation ward, and resuscitation center.
The PEMAT team was composed of surgeons, pediatricians, internists, anesthesiologists, OB-GYN specialists, and other medical personnel, all of whom are experts in this type of emergency response.
The Health Department assures that all field hospitals established in Glan have sufficient supplies of electricity and water for operation.
This includes a self-sustaining water filtration system that ensures the water used from pumps and local water sources in the area remains safe for drinking.
In addition, the DOH is also providing Mental Health and Psychosocial Services for individuals who experienced trauma and anxiety due to the earthquake.
Meanwhile, PEMAT also visited Balut Island, Sarangani, which is accessible by sea, to provide immediate medical assistance there as well.