HAPPY TO HELP. Members of the volunteer medical team from the Bicol Medical Center meet with Department of Health-Bicol Regional Director Dr. Ernie V. Vera (center) before their deployment to the Caraga region which bore the brunt of Typhoon Odette in December last year. The team will stay on Dinagat Island until April 24, 2022. (Photo from DOH-5's Facebook page)
LEGAZPI CITY – A medical support team deployed by the Department of Health in Bicol (DOH-5) from Bicol Medical Center (BMC) arrived on Dinagat Island on Wednesday to help the victims of Typhoon Odette.
In an interview, Mylce Mella-Competente, BMC spokesperson, said the 34-member team is composed of physicians, nurses, and allied personnel.
"Medical specialists such as obstetricians, anesthesiologists, surgeons, and internal medicine, 11 nurses, two midwives, one medical technologist, one radio technologist, three nursing attendants, and other staff from Bicol Medical Center were deployed in the Basilisa Temporary Field Referral Health Facility in the Province of Dinagat Islands," she said.
Competente noted that the team members volunteered to be part of the deployment.
"They will provide free hospital and medical care to the victims of Typhoon Odette while the repairs of the health facilities affected are still ongoing," she added.
Asked as to the food and accommodation of the contingent, Competente told the Philippine News Agency that" DOH will shoulder the food and accommodation of the team but for now, BMC will provide while waiting for fund augmentation from DOH Central".
The BMC also provides travel expense allowances to the 34 healthcare personnel.
The volunteer medical team will stay on Mindanao island until April 24. (PNA)
