Association of Medical Doctors of ASIA, founded in 1984, Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC since 1995

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Report from AMDA Coordinator: Mayon Volcanic Eruption Medical Relief, Philippines

Publication date:2018-02-28
 
The following report was submitted by AMDA coordinator, Annie Nishi, who worked in Albay, Philippines, in response to the recent Mayon volcano disaster that struck the vicinity of the mountain in the south of the country.

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09th February 2018

In the evening of February 9th at around 6:p.m, I met Dr. Elrey Navarro, the president and organizer of AMDA Philippines. While waiting for volunteers and the transport to Albay, Dr. Navarro explained to me their plans for the medical mission on the following day. He said that AMSA Philippines (Bicol University Chapter) had already gone to the evacuation site and did an ocular survey. They had conducted physical checkups to all the patients as well. As they had gotten their blood pressure checked while going through medical records and being consulted on health problems, it saved a lot of time for AMDA doctors when they reached the site to give treatment. Dr. Navarro also mentioned that their mission was not only about giving medical treatment and prescribing medicines but also to give the evacuees some health care advice.

 

The mission site was in Cotmon High School in the village of Cotmon Camalig, Albay. The medical mission was for the Cabangan evacuees. There were 266 families (1,071 individuals) dwelling in 24 classrooms of this school. One classroom had 10 to 11 families with children, elderly people, as well as pregnant and lactating women.

10th February 2018

AMDA medical team headed by Dr. Elrey Navarro, his officers and myself in cooperation with Toyota Vios Fairview Club (TVFC) Asian Medical Students Association (AMSA) Philippines, Bicol University College of Medicine, Dapoy, Sanggawad, AMSA CMO, hand in hand, helped the evacuees to provide medical support and relief goods. There were more than 100 volunteers including 38 doctors, nurses and dentist who came from Manila. Other volunteers were medical students from the said medical school, local doctors and the Dapoy team.

 

Upon arrival at Cotmon High School, at around 1:30 pm, Dr. Navarro announced the groupings of volunteers. He divided the doctors and nurses into 10 groups in which around two doctors, one nurse and one medical student were put into each group. Each group had to check patients in two rooms. Most of the doctors’ diagnosis were hypertension, asthma, lung problems, coughing, respiratory infections and diarrhea among both adults and children. Psychological trauma was also seen among teen evacuees because of their situations. The students of the school had problems as well because their studies had been stopped since the evacuees occupied their school.

Relief goods distribution

While medical doctors were treating patients, other volunteers were preparing relief goods. They repacked rice, noodles, canned food, juice, toiletry and sanitary goods into pails for distribution. After the patients got their medicine, 266 families lined up to get the relief items. AMDA Team also donated nebulizer, manometer, weighing scale, blankets and others to the village health center. 

 

As far as accounts of the locals are concerned, an old woman said her family house and farm were covered with ashes, and their livestock died which is the source of their income. Another woman said their problem in the shelter is that there is no bath room and feels very uncomfortable because of the lack of privacy. Despite of such a hardship and uncertainties, affected people always laughed and had a smile on their faces. They received our medical support and relief goods by saying “Thank you very much.”




 
    •  Emergency Relief
    •  GPSP Multi-National Medical Mission (Peace Building)
    •  Philippines
    •  2018
    •  ER & Reconstruction
    •  GPSP

 
 
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