The Department of Health’s (DOH) air ambulance has taken to the skies for the first time as it transported a hit-and-run victim from Palawan to Manila last week.
According to Eduardo Janairo, DOH-Mimaropa (Region 4B) director, the air ambulance transported a five-year-old hit-and-run victim from Coron to Batangas last Mar 16. The trip took 2 hours.
“After we were informed of the patient’s case the next day, the air ambulance was immediately dispatched to Coron at 10:30am to transport her to PGH Taft Avenue, Manila and arrived at 12:30pm. The Cessna 206 was used to convey the patient from Coron Airport to Tanauan Airport in Batangas,” Janairo stated in a report by GMA News.
The government’s 24/7 air ambulance was just launched last week. It was initiated by DOH-Mimaropa and the Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Services, a volunteer-driven organization.
“A Cessna 206, a 6-seater helicopter, and Robinson R44, a 4-seater chopper, will be used to transport patients.” reports ABS-CBN News.
The choppers are both equipped with first-aid kits and manned by a paramedic.
Janairo said that islands in the region will benefit most from the new service.
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