Manila holds vax transport simulation to 18 inoculation sites

MANILA – The city government of Manila conducted its own simulation exercise of transporting the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccines from its central storage facility at the Sta. Ana Hospital to 18 identified target vaccination sites in the city.

In his Facebook post on Thursday, Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso said that the activity was spearheaded by the Manila Health Department (MHD).

“Sa ganitong paraan po ay mapaghahandaan ng MHD ang maayos at episyenteng pagdadala ng mga bakuna sa vaccination sites (This way, the MHD will be able to efficiently prepare the most effective transport plan of the vaccines to the vaccination site),” said Domagoso.

Domagoso also lauded the different government hospitals in the city for taking initiatives in conducting their own Covid-19 vaccination simulations with their own medical staff.

On Wednesday, Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center conducted their simulation exercise participated in by their medical front-liners.

He said that this is all part of the preparations for the city’s vaccination program.

“Kinakailangan po natin maging maagap, masinop at episyente upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa laban sa banta ng Covid-19 (We have to be proactive, prudent, and efficient in order to ensure the safety of everyone against the threat of Covid-19),” Domagoso said.

To recall, he said that the city government will not get tired of conducting different simulation activities to be able to identify possible problems that may be encountered once the vaccination program rolls out, and for the medical front-liners to memorize by heart the vaccination process.

Meanwhile, all directors of the six district hospitals of Manila have expressed readiness to have themselves vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine.

During their meeting with Domagoso on Wednesday, MHD officer-in-charge Dr. Arnold Pangan reported to Domagoso that the directors of the Ospital ng Sampaloc, Sta. Ana Hospital, Ospital ng Maynila, Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center, Justice Abad Santos Memorial Medical Hospital, and the Ospital ng Tondo are willing to receive the China-made vaccine.

Moreover, Pangan said there are MHD and hospital front-liners and administrative personnel who asked to be included in the list of those who will be vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine.

Domagoso reiterated that he and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna will join the hospital directors and be among the first to receive the vaccine against Covid-19 as soon as it becomes available.

On Thursday, Malacañang said the first batch of China’s Sinovac Biotech vaccines will arrive in the country on Sunday, February 28.