Earthquake drill tests emergency response of WVMC personnel
Health and Medical personnel of the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) underwent an earthquake drill to inculcate preparedness in times of disasters.
Dr. Jose Marie Fermin, WVMC head, said that the conduct of the earthquake drill is aimed to capacitate the hospital’s health and medical personnel to a systematic and orderly response to any eventualities.
Dr. Fermin said in a PIA interview that even in actual event, citing the flood brought by typhoon Frank, the WVMC personnel had shown their dedication to serve those who have been affected by the onslaught of the typhoon.
“Despite any disaster, the hospital will still function to provide a significant level of services to the affected population,” Fermin said.
During the earthquake drill, designated personnel put up an incident command post, holding, treatment, staging and media area with appropriate signage. The security, safety, medical, search and rescue teams convened to the incident command post for instructions and assignments.
At the treatment area, the injured persons were classified, treated and those that are critical were brought to the staging area for referral to the nearest hospital.
The WVMC head said there are some limitations, but what is important is to inculcate preparedness among health and medical personnel in times of disasters.
For his part, DOH 6 Director Ariel Valencia said that the drill is conducted yearly on different scenarios like drills on typhoon, fire, flood and others.
Director Rose Cabrera of the Office of Civil Defense, on the other hand, said that around 16 institutions in Region 6 participated in this region-wide simultaneous earthquake drill. (T.Villavert/ PIA)
