PH Red Cross: Over 500 patients served in Holy Week so far

A total of 574 patients have sought medical assistance from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) during its operations for the Holy Week.

In an update as of Holy Wednesday, the PRC said one of the patients was transported to a hospital after losing consciousness.

At least 15 experienced dizziness, fainting, knee pain, lower abdominal pain, and body weakness.

Meanwhile, 558 of the patients underwent vital signs monitoring and three received welfare assistance.

The PRC mobilized 375 first aid stations in bus terminals, seaports, airport, mountains, beach, church, gas station, park, school, highway, and arena.

A total of 1,840 volunteers and 313 staff were deployed for the Holy Week operations.

The PRC is on high alert for its annual Holy Week operations. 

PRC chairperson and CEO Richard “Dick” Gordion encouraged the public to call the humanitarian group’s hotline 143 for immediate assistance. 

“Pwede kayong tumawag sa 143 at magpapadala agad kami ng ambulansya. We mobilized a network of ambulances, first aid stations, welfare desks, foot patrols, service vehicles, at marami pang iba,” Gordon said.

(You can call 143 and we will immediately send an ambulance. We mobilized a network of ambulances, first aid stations, welfare desks, foot patrols, service vehicles, and many more.

“Kahit kayo ay nasa beach at may biglang nalunod, may tao kami roon para magbigay ng first aid,” he added.

(Even if you are on the beach and someone suddenly drowns, we have someone there to provide first aid.)

PRC secretary-general Dr. Gwendolyn Pang advised the public to prepare a first aid kit which includes bandages, alcohol, medicines, oral rehydration solutions (ORS) for dehydration, among others.

“Maganda na mag-enjoy tayo pero siguraduhin din natin na ligtas tayo. Kami sa Philippine Red Cross ay laging naghahanda sa Semana Santa,” she said.

(It’s good to have fun but let’s also make sure we are safe. We at the Philippine Red Cross are always preparing for the Holy Week.)

“Sa ating mga kababayan, bisitahin po ninyo ang official Facebook page ng PRC para malaman ang lokasyon ng ating first aid stations, welfare desks, at iba pang assets,” she added.

(To our countrymen, please visit the PRC’s official Facebook page to find out the location of our first aid stations, welfare desks, and other assets.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News