Manila: Three weeks after heavy fighting and hostage-taking incidents forced Marawi City’s Amai Pakpak Medical Centre was forced to temporarily close, the health institution is poised to reopen to serve local residents.
“The DOH (Department of Health) is keen on reopening the Amai Pakpak Medical Centre after weeks of being shut down due to the Marawi clash. The Armed Forces of the Philippines already gave the hospital the go-ahead signal for medical staff to return to duty,” Department of Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said in a statement on Wednesday.
Amai Pakpak Medical Centre is the main government heath services institution in Marawi City.
On the afternoon of May 23, when the situation in Marawi City started, a group of heavily armed Maute gunmen took over the hospital, virtually holding hostage doctors and hospital staff. Several days after the crisis took place, the hostages were eventually released but the hospital had been unable to function.
Rosell-Ubial said officials are carefully studying the ongoing situation to manage the revival of operations of the medical centre.
Portions vital to the functioning of the hospital had been destroyed by the Maute.
“The returning hospital staff need to conduct inventory and evaluation of facilities which can still be used,” Rosell-Ubial said.
She said that despite the situation, the DOH continues to respond to the health challenges in Marawi City in the midst of the ongoing siege.
According to Western Mindanao regional military chief Lt-Gen Carlito Galvez, heavy fighting between the Maute and security forces had diminished but the militants remain in control of 20 per cent or three villages in Marawi City.
Government had deployed its biggest military build-up in Central Mindanao in recent years to confront the Maute, a group that claims allegiance to the Middle East-based Daesh.
The fighting in Marawi City had resulted in a massive humanitarian concern as thousands have been displaced.
According to the latest data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), there are 4,317 families or 20,754 people who are currently staying in 64 evacuation centres in Marawi City as well as in Iligan City and other nearby urban centres, and another 42,672 families or 207,622 have temporarily moved in with their relatives or friends in nearby regions.
“In times like this crisis, DOH gives special attention to the vulnerable age groups. Hence, vaccines are readied for distribution, taking into consideration the appropriate inclusion criteria of these young people,” Rosell-Ubial said.
“The DOH also believes in the holistic approach, hence, the psychological impact of this traumatic event by conducting psychosocial support sessions in Iligan City for a total of 811 individuals is being addressed as well,” said Rosell-Ubial.
