Victims ‘suffer’ from lack of ambulance

CEBU, Philippines - Victims of untoward incidents in Talisay City are not promptly sent to the hospital since the city government lack ambulances.

Police Officer 3 Aquiles Cabando of Talisay City Traffic Division said they sometimes used their patrol car to bring accident victims to the hospital since ambulances of the Talisay City Rescue Emergency Action Team (TREAT) are currently under repair.

“Daghan na nga higayon nga amo na lang pasakyon sa sakyanan sa pulis ang mga nangapangos. Pero ang uban amo na lang g’yud pasakyon sa tricycle. Maningkamot na lang gyud ang mga nadisgrasya aron sila maluwas,” he said.    

He said they had talked with TREAT personnel about the matter.

Cabando complained that the City Traffic Division cannot provide first aid to the victims, which is a job of TREAT personnel.

The police officer is hoping that such problem will be addressed soon since TREAT services include responding to shooting, stabbing, and other incidents.

The lack of ambulances started sometime in March, said Cabando.

Christopher Andrew Estrabon, officer-in-charge of the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, in a phone interview admitted that their two ambulances are currently under general repair.

“Naa ta’y duha ka ambulansya. Sa tanto natong sige og gamit, maguba g’yud siya unya amo na ning gipaayo, tua karon sa manufacturer,” he said, adding the vehicles started malfunctioning late March.

Estrabon said they are regularly following up about the ambulances considering that the general repair really takes some time.

“Naa ma’y uban parts nga gi-order gikan sa Manila. Madugay g’yud siya, pero maghuwat ra mi og go signal nga pwede na,” he said.

Meanwhile, Talisay mayor-elect Eduardo Gullas said he can only request Dr. Agustin Agos Jr, chief of Talisay District Hospital, to have their hospital vehicles respond to any incident in the city.

“Adunay ambulance og medical facilities ang TDH to respond to these needs of Talisaynons,” said Gullas. (FREEMAN)