PHO provided medical attention to 800 Palarong Pambansa athletes

LINGAYEN, PANG.--Dr. Ana De Guzman, provincial health officer said that despite the number of emergency and other medical cases involving the Palarong Pambansa athletes and delegates, the Provincial Health Office and other response teams were able to provide fast and immediate medical attention to patients.

Some 800 patients were properly attended in the medical stations at the playing venues and billeting areas, and at the mini hospital inside the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center and at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital including other provincial government hospitals.

Most of the emergency cases were minor injuries suffered by players in athletics, basketball, baseball and football such as muscle cramps, body pain, fractures, sprain, abrasion and laceration.

Due to the sweltering heat of summer, cases of hypertension among coaches and game officials were also listed. A coach underwent operation due to acute appendicitis.

In a related development, De Guzman clarified that the dengue virus that afflicted the 12 year old lawn tennis player from Region 10 (Bukidnon) was not acquired in Pangasinan.

She said the boy was already afflicted with dengue even before he arrived in the province.

The provincial health officer said the boy who was treated at the PPH has recuperated and has been discharged from hospital confinement.

The injured gymnastics athlete Mico Paolo Federacion who suffered from fractured bone in his hands during a practice was also operated at the PPH.

There were also three cases of chicken pox among the athletes of Region 11 while a 14-year old male athlete from Region IV-B in Palawan had mumps.

According to Dr. De Guzman, officials and parents from the various regions where the treated athletes came from hailed the provincial government for the quick and systematic medical response procedures.

Dr. Jesart De Vera, a municipal health officer, reported that various sectors had recognized the province’s efficiency and reliability of its medical services.

“This is the first time that we have a very organized referral system,” he said.

Jumel Miller, a sports director at the Systems Plus College Foundation in Angeles City said “as a parent, I am very impressed with the fast and immediate service of the medical team of Pangasinan even as he said there is a feeling of security that his child is well taken care of.”

As this developed, Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. has reassured the safety of the Palarong Pambansa athletes and delegates as response teams manned by the Bureau of Fire Equipment, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Red Cross and all provincial hospitals are continually deployed in strategic areas since the national athletic games started on May 6.

Gov. Espino said the emergency response teams, supported by 40 ambulance units have been strategically positioned in all the playing venues and the billeting areas.

He said the Palaro secretariat has also established close coordination with private hospitals for fast lane service for athlete-patients in cases of emergency and the local government units on the use of their hospital facilities.

He likewise assured the athletes of free medical services from the provincial government hospitals in Pangasinan.