The German aid organisations BRH Bundesverband Rettungshunde (Hünxe) and I.S.A.R. Germany have handed over extensive medical equipment to the hospital in the Philippine municipality of Calubian. The project was financed with funds from the donation alliance „Aktion Deutschland hilft“. The equipment is intended to further improve treatment options for Covid patients. The project also has a sustainable impact, as the equipment handed over can also be used in normal day-to-day clinical practice. Among other things, the clinic received a laboratory workstation for working with contaminated materials, beds, inhalation devices, ozone sterilisers, oxygen concentrators and room air filters.
A team from the aid organisations travelled to Calubian for the handover with special permits from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Health. With a few exceptions, the country currently does not allow foreigners to enter the country. During their stay, the team met with the staff of several hospitals to exchange experiences and attend training sessions. The plan is to continue the collaboration in the future in order to further improve medical care for the people in the Calubian region.
The hospital was chosen because it previously had some of the worst medical equipment in the province of Leyte and the nearest major hospital is hours away. Today's standard equipment is missing or outdated. At the same time, the Calubian region had the most coronavirus cases in the province of Leyte and the most hospitalised patients at the start of the project.
„The project shows once again that the donations from Germany go where they are really needed,“ said the Presidents of BRH and I.S.A.R. Jürgen Schart and Dr Daniela Lesmeister. „We have enjoyed a close partnership with the Leyte region since Hurricane Hayian hit in 2013. We know the key players here and many people are familiar with our organisations. This made it easier for us to find the right projects and really get the aid to the grassroots.“
The hospital in Calubian has 25 treatment places and is responsible for a region with around 80,000 inhabitants.
