Dengue patients airlifted from Batanes island

MANILA, Philippines — The military and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have deployed its planes to transport dengue patients from the island town of Itbayat to Basco in Batanes.

The Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) sent a C295 while the PCG deployed one of its planes to airlift the patients to the Batanes General Hospital on Friday.

“Itbayat is experiencing a dengue outbreak that could claim more lives if no immediate medical interventions are made,” Lt. Col. Isagani Nato, Nolcom public officer, said.

Nato said the military plane also flew in two doctors to Itbayat.

Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco requested an emergency air evacuation of critical patients on Thursday, citing rough seas which could endanger the lives of the patients if they are transferred to Basco by boat.

At least 23 dengue cases were reported in Itbayat as of last Wednesday. One of the three critical patients died on Friday.

Itbayat’s lone hospital does not have the capability to treat dengue.

“Nolcom will be closely monitoring the... situation in coordination with other stakeholders to ensure the welfare of the people in Batanes as well as those in our mission area,” Nato said.