Acting on the Executive no.16 issued yesterday, March 16, 2020 by Cotabato Governor Nancy A. Catamco, the Provincial Government of Cotabato through the Integrated Provincial Health Office is now facilitating the conduct of Contigency Planning and workshop aimed at preventing and mitigating the COVID-19.
Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Committee on Health and Sanitation Chairman Board Member Philbert G. Malaluan, MD leads the said planning/workshop. He emphasized that the general objective of the said planning workshop is to accomplish what were stated in the executive order issued—by identifying individual roles among frontliners and other health-service providers.
He also said that the said activity will give leeway to health and government authorities in identifying the needs, challenges and concerns of different hospitals both private and government-owned.
In her message in the same planning/workshop, Governor Catamco said that establishing an incident command post (ICP) to be headed by BM Malaluan is one of the solutions to closely monitor and get the accurate data of PUIs and PUMs in the province and institute appropriate and timely health protocol.
She also urged the frontliners of the provincial government IPHO, 8 government hospitals including private hospitals to identify the immediate logistical needs specifically the medical and protective equipment/gear in to be used in dealing with COVID-19 PUIs and PUMs.
“While we hope for the immediate containment of this deadly virus, I believe it is prudent to prepare for worse or a challenging scenario. Critical infrastructure like the “isolation” room for those infected with COVID-19 should be in place and furnished with appropriate medical equipment with competent medical staff. Dedicated vehicles to transport COVID-19 patients should also be provided and ready at all times,” Governor Catamco stressed.
Lastly, acknowledging the presence of the various government line agencies who are part of the contingency planning workshop, Governor Catamco commended their commitment to contribute to solve this health crisis and assured them that she will provide the necessary financial support in order to make this initiative against COVID-19 threat work for the safety and protection of Cotabateños. //pgo-idcd//
