PH medical teams ready to help quake-hit Myanmar, Thailand

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

Following the news of a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar and neighboring Thailand, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa immediately instructed the PEMATs to be on standby for deployment once international coordination protocols with the affected countries are complete and a request is received. (Pexels Photo)

MANILA – Three Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Teams (PEMATs) are ready to help in post-earthquake response in Myanmar and Thailand, the Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday.

Following the news of a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar and neighboring Thailand, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa immediately instructed the PEMATs to be on standby for deployment once international coordination protocols with the affected countries are complete and a request is received.

“We are continuously in touch with the office of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for further instructions as the Philippines coordinates with its earthquake-stricken ASEAN neighbors,” Herbosa said.

The DOH previously deployed PEMAT members from the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium to Turkey after an earthquake in 2023.

More recently, the Eastern Visayas Medical Center also organized its own.

The DOH said all three PEMATs are classified as Type 1 Fixed EMTs (emergency medical teams), which means they can provide daylight hours care for acute trauma and non-trauma presentations and referrals.

The PEMATS from DOH can also conduct health investigation or care and community-based primary care in an outpatient fixed facility.

“The DOH can send our PEMAT should there be a need for humanitarian medical assistance in Myanmar and Thailand. We are ready,” Herbosa said.

Following a verification visit in September 2024, which assessed their capabilities in clinical management, logistics, water, sanitation, and hygiene, the World Health Organization, Singapore Emergency Medical Team and Japan Disaster Relief awarded the WHO EMT badge to PEMAT Metro Manila (WHO EMT #44), PEMAT Luzon (WHO EMT #45), and PEMAT Visayas (WHO EMT #46).

They are certified and recognized for international humanitarian deployment, the DOH said.

The United States Geological Survey earlier classified the Myanmar disaster under “red alert” status, indicating that it could result in high casualties and extensive damage requiring a national or international response.

Latest reports from the Information Team of Myanmar’s State Administration Council showed that the death toll has risen to 694, with 1,670 people injured and 68 still missing as of Saturday morning.