After a few days’ delay due to uncertain funding, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) finally approved last Friday the request of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) for a P3-million allocation for the purchase of medical equipment and supplies to be used in fighting the novel Corona Virus infectious disease.
The council headed by Acting Governor Shirley Abundo gave the go-signal for the charging of the amount to the local disaster fund after PHO II Dr. Hazel Palmes impressed upon the council members to act fast and to prepare the province in case the virus arrives on the island.
Among the medical equipment to be procured are a patient ventilator for P1.9 million, a defibrillator for P350,000, an ECG machine with analyzer at P150,000 each, a pulse oximeter at P88,000, a laryngoscope for P20,000 and six IV stands at P2,000 each.
The medical supplies included in the purchase consist of 24 non-contact Infrared Thermometers, 30 heavy-duty nylon body bags, 10 pieces of N95 face mask, 20 boxes of N88 medical protective masks at 100 pieces per bottle, 50 bottles of 500-ml hand sanitizers, 24 liters of hand sanitizers, 8 sets of 2.5m x 40m heavy-duty tarp tent with side cover and GI-pipe framing, and 24 sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Each set of PPE, which costs P4,000 each, consists of an anti-fog, clear-lens goggles, gloves, disposable shoe cover, disposable coveralls, disposable long-sleeved surgical gown, N95 face mask, disposable head cap, and N88 surgical mask.