The Southern Philippines Medical Center's Health Emergency and Disaster Management Unit (SPMC-Hedmu) is making a strong call for community involvement and readiness in the face of potential calamities. As an active and accredited Emergency Medical Assistance Team in the region, the unit emphasizes that preparedness is a shared responsibility.
Building a Framework for Disaster Response
According to Dr. Cherry Jean Quines, medical officer of the SPMC-Hedmu, Davao City's disaster offices were among the first to receive crucial training. The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (BDRRMO) and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) were early recipients of mass casualty management training, equipping them with vital skills.
Dr. Quines noted that significant progress has been made in establishing the necessary foundations for disaster response. "There are no problems in capacity building, policy formation, and relevant regulations and ordinances in disaster preparedness," she stated. However, she clarified that policies alone are not enough. "Policy gives us a framework, at least 20 percent of the job when it comes to preparedness. Still, we are encouraging community engagement, community commitment for the sake of preparedness in terms of disasters," Quines emphasized.
SPMC-Hedmu Leading Regional Training Efforts
The SPMC has been consistently strengthening its Hedmu, collaborating closely with the national Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team. This team consists of medical professionals organized by the Department of Health, trained to deliver medical care that meets international standards during crises.
A core function of the Hedmu is to build the capacity of local government units to handle emergencies. A recent example is the training provided to the health unit of Manay, Davao Oriental, a municipality affected by a strong doublet earthquake on October 10.
Dr. Quines and Dr. Francis Porticos are key trainers in these efforts, helping to equip local government units and provincial hospitals across the region with mass casualty management and other emergency response skills. "Only sa SPMC ang core training ng mass casualty management, so dalawa lang kami ang nagte-training sa buong Davao Region," Quines explained. "I personally was able to train and capacitate, I helped facilitate the trainings on mass casualty management both in Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte hospitals."
Accessible Life-Saving Skills for the Public
Beyond government training, the Hedmu also extends its services to the broader community. The unit provides Basic Life Support (BLS) training to individuals and groups who request it through the SPMC. This initiative aims to empower ordinary citizens with the knowledge to act in the critical moments before professional help arrives, further embedding a culture of preparedness at the grassroots level.
The overarching message from the SPMC-Hedmu is clear: while institutional frameworks and trained professionals are essential, true resilience against disasters is built through active and committed participation from every member of the community.
