Sagip Batangas were conducted for the evacuees in Padre Garcia and Balete, Batangas
Health Futures Foundation, Inc. conducted post-disaster emergency medical response in Batangas last 19 January and 21 February 2020. Over 260 residents who were affected by the Taal Volcano eruption benefitted from the medical missions. Consultations, free medicines, and psychosocial interventions were provided.
Based on situational reports released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), about 500,000 individuals from Taal lakeshore municipalities were displaced since the Taal Volcano started erupting last January 2020. Around 28,000 families from the province of Batangas took shelter in 81 evacuation centers.
Two medical missions, one of which was also a mental health mission, were conducted for the evacuees in Padre Garcia, Batangas and residents of Balete, Batangas. The following were the specific area sites of the medical missions:
(1) Banaba Covered Court in Brgy. Banaba, Padre Garcia, Batangas
(2) Pansol Integrated National High School in Padre Garcia, Batangas
(3) Jowivil Crater Subdivision, Brgy. Makina, Balete, Batangas
(4) Looc Health Station, Brgy. Looc, Balate, Batangas
In total, 208 residents were given basic and essential medical care services through consultation, free medicines, and necessary interventions such as nebulization. Medicines such as antibiotics, cough medicines, maintenance medicine for hypertension and diabetes, topical ointments, eye lubricant (eye drops), and vitamins and other supplements were provided.
There were also 56 residents who participated in the mental health mission as part of the psychosocial interventions. Moreover, a rapid needs assessment of three evacuation centers in Lipa City and Padre Garcia, Batangas was also done.
The medical mission teams were composed of a total of (4) volunteer medical doctors, psychologists, five (5) nurses, three (3) HFI staff, one (1) documentor, and two (2) drivers. Human Resources for Health (HRH) staff from Balete Rural Health Unit (RHU), the barangay officials, and barangay health workers (BHWs) also assisted during the medical missions.
The post-disaster emergency medical response is part of the project SAGIP BATANGAS (SAVE BATANGAS). It was successfully implemented in partnership with the Balete Municipal Health Office and Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office IVA. The project was funded by Direct Relief.
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