This past Wednesday one of the Ex-Pat organizations I belong to, Friends of Mindanao, had a field trip to visit the Command Center of 911 Davao City.
I am writing this from memory, so I ask for forgiveness of any errors.
We were greeted by Colonel Mario Verner Monsanto (Ret.), a retired military officer. In 1997 he was asked by the Mayor of Davao City to set up a disaster relief organization that became 911 Davao.
Davao is only one of the 2 functional 911 in the country.
The first thing that I noticed was the facility was very modern with modern desks and cubicles. We were escorted into the conference room where Mario gave us a presentation about the history and functions of the 911 center and their areas of responsibilities.
The Central 911 team is composed of the following:
> Urban Search and Rescue Services - USAR
> Fire Auxiliary Services - FAS
> Emergency Medical Services - EMS
> K9 Unit
> Police
They have a call center there where all calls come in. At that point they will dispatch any resource that is needed to help out the caller in distress.
Something else that is not available in most US cities, you can dial 911 from any landline or cell phone, no matter what cell service you are using. Also if the caller runs out of load (minutes as in US) they will call them back.
They have 10 Ambulances that will go out for any life threatening condition. Asking if someone has a problem that is not life threatening I was told that they will dispatch a police care to assist the person in need.
They support security at the airport with their K9 unit.
Not like in the US where the professional Fire Department Paramedic Service charges for responces, here in Davao there is no charge.
The majority of calls are for the police and disturbances, It is nice to see all the areas are available.
Something about Davao City that amazed me was the size. Davao City covers an area that in America would be called a county. There is downtown but there are rural areas that takes an hour or so to drive to that is still part of Davao City.
We asked about their support in other areas. They will go to other cities or provinces to assist but that order must come from the Mayor. A few years ago there were floods and most of a town in Leyte, in the Eastern Visayas region was covered with a major mudslide, they sent some rescue personnel to assist.
They would like to have a HazMat unit but the equipment and training is too expensive and difficult to get.
With the wonderful work they do, I hope one day some organization in the US or Europe or Asia will offer to train and donate the equipment to make Davao 911 as fully functional as their counterparts in other parts of our world.
I command and thank the City of Davao, Mayor Dutarte, Colonel Mario Verner Monsanto (Ret.) and all his personnel for all their good work and I hope and pray they will continue and grow as time goes on.
Showing posts with label Medical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Medical. Show all posts
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Philippine Hospitals
About 2 weeks ago Elena went to see a doctor, she was spotting often. After all the tests the doctor diagnosed Elena has a Myoma. That is a fibroid tumor and is most times benign.
Because of the location it was decided Elena would need a hysterectomy. She was admitted last Thursday evening into San Pedro Hospital.
Now I do not know about all hospitals in the Philippines but I have heard from other circumstances a lot of hospitals work this way. They figure out the cost of the room stay and the operation costs and that must be paid before checking in.
Elena also had to go to the Red Cross office and purchase 2 units of blood and bring them to the hospital when admitted.
During the stay, if there are any medications needed, the patient gets the prescription and someone staying with her has to go to the hospital pharmacy and pay for the medication.
There is also a tradition in the Philippines of having 24 hour a day family or friend coverage in the room with the patient. They are called “Watchers”. Watchers stay in the room, run to pharmacy, help the patient, call for a nurse if needed and keep the patient company. As shits change they also bring food from home to feed the watchers, visitors and even the patient.
The first night, the evening before the operation, Elena was in a ward. There are about 6 beds in the room with curtains to give privacy. When I saw the beds, I was reminded of old World War II movies where you see the hospitals. It was the type where the 2 ends have hooks and the spring platform attaches to the ends. Some wards have Air conditioners and some do not. Prices vary do to this choice.
The next day, after the operation, Elena was moved to a private room. This room was better. There was a wall air conditioner, a small TV on the wall. The bed was bigger and the head could be raised. Not remotely but with a crank at the foot of the bed. The bathroom was nice and clean. I had looked at meals. They are probably fine for the Filipino palate but it looked unappetizing to me.
The nursing staff was plentiful since it is a teaching hospital. They would come in and take vitals often and were available if needed.
There is very little parking near the hospital but there is a mall across the street with a multi-level parking so I would park at the mall. I had to remember to move my car before the mall closed with is 8PM Sunday -Thursday and 9PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Elena was supposed to be released on Sunday but her doctor never came to visit and sign the discharge forms so Elena had to stay until Monday.
Elena is doing well and not in much discomfort. At times she gets dizzy so it is good we still have the walker from her mother. Elena uses the walker as a safety as she moves around the house.
I am so thankful for our nieces for staying round the clock at the hospital and one would come home with me to open the gate to park the car at home. This is because we are on a main thoroughfare with no shoulder. With all the traffic I need someone to open the gates and stop traffic. Most main roads do not have shoulders to park on.
Also I am thankful for my new bosses. They let me leave when necessary and not have to work a full day on Saturday.
Elena’s cell phone has also been busy throughout this ordeal and still with text messages from friends seeing how Elena is doing.
Elena has the sweet personality to make friends with most people she meets and most are so caring too.
Now we are just watching the recovery times and I know soon Elena will be back to her same self.
Because of the location it was decided Elena would need a hysterectomy. She was admitted last Thursday evening into San Pedro Hospital.
Now I do not know about all hospitals in the Philippines but I have heard from other circumstances a lot of hospitals work this way. They figure out the cost of the room stay and the operation costs and that must be paid before checking in.
Elena also had to go to the Red Cross office and purchase 2 units of blood and bring them to the hospital when admitted.
During the stay, if there are any medications needed, the patient gets the prescription and someone staying with her has to go to the hospital pharmacy and pay for the medication.
There is also a tradition in the Philippines of having 24 hour a day family or friend coverage in the room with the patient. They are called “Watchers”. Watchers stay in the room, run to pharmacy, help the patient, call for a nurse if needed and keep the patient company. As shits change they also bring food from home to feed the watchers, visitors and even the patient.
The first night, the evening before the operation, Elena was in a ward. There are about 6 beds in the room with curtains to give privacy. When I saw the beds, I was reminded of old World War II movies where you see the hospitals. It was the type where the 2 ends have hooks and the spring platform attaches to the ends. Some wards have Air conditioners and some do not. Prices vary do to this choice.
The next day, after the operation, Elena was moved to a private room. This room was better. There was a wall air conditioner, a small TV on the wall. The bed was bigger and the head could be raised. Not remotely but with a crank at the foot of the bed. The bathroom was nice and clean. I had looked at meals. They are probably fine for the Filipino palate but it looked unappetizing to me.
The nursing staff was plentiful since it is a teaching hospital. They would come in and take vitals often and were available if needed.
There is very little parking near the hospital but there is a mall across the street with a multi-level parking so I would park at the mall. I had to remember to move my car before the mall closed with is 8PM Sunday -Thursday and 9PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Elena was supposed to be released on Sunday but her doctor never came to visit and sign the discharge forms so Elena had to stay until Monday.
Elena is doing well and not in much discomfort. At times she gets dizzy so it is good we still have the walker from her mother. Elena uses the walker as a safety as she moves around the house.
I am so thankful for our nieces for staying round the clock at the hospital and one would come home with me to open the gate to park the car at home. This is because we are on a main thoroughfare with no shoulder. With all the traffic I need someone to open the gates and stop traffic. Most main roads do not have shoulders to park on.
Also I am thankful for my new bosses. They let me leave when necessary and not have to work a full day on Saturday.
Elena’s cell phone has also been busy throughout this ordeal and still with text messages from friends seeing how Elena is doing.
Elena has the sweet personality to make friends with most people she meets and most are so caring too.
Now we are just watching the recovery times and I know soon Elena will be back to her same self.
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