Health workers held a simulation exercise and walk-through of facilities in Clark and New Clark City on Saturday, April 11, in preparation to receive COVID-positive patients at We Heal As One Centers starting next week.
Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects and BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon, and Dra. Maria Clemencita Dobles, head of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Health and Sanitation Division, led the simulation exercise and walk-through at the ASEAN Convention Center in Clark, Pampanga and the New Clark City Government Building in Capas, Tarlac.
The two We Heal As One Centers will initially be able to accommodate 1,000 COVID-positive patients with mild and no symptoms referred from hospitals in Central Luzon. The New Clark City Athletes’ Village meanwhile will be designated as a facility for persons under investigation (PUIs) from Tarlac and Pampanga.
The conversion of facilities into We Heal As One Centers is part of the national government’s efforts to reduce the community spread of COVID-19, decongest hospitals, and to provide the best and most effective treatments to patients.
Jaime De Jesus, Jr. of Macabebe, Pampanga, one of the nurses who was hired for the COVID facilities in Clark, said he wants to be of service to his fellow Kapampangans. He said he used to work for an emergency room at a hospital in Saudi Arabia, and has been a nurse for eight years.
“Kaya gusto ko magtrabaho bilang isang frontliner ulit dito sa Pilipinas kasi gusto ko tulungan yung mga kapwa nating Pilipino na nagkakaroon ng sakit. Nasa isang krisis tayo; kailangan kaming mga nurse at medical professionals ng bansa natin para lumaban dito sa COVID crisis,” De Jesus said.
Dr. Christine Polintan-Lao, a doctor of seven years and a resident of Tarlac, said that the frontliners’ passion to serve outweighs the risk of COVID-19.
“Lahat ng mga frontliners, nurses at doctors, lahat ng mga nasa health field, lahat ng pumapasok sa mga companies, janitors, security guards, they are all being selfless and they are really doing a great job para matapos na itong pandemic that greatly affects our country,” she said.
“Para sa ating frontliners, we salute you all for always giving your best to solve this pandemic, and para sa inyong mga nasa bahay, please keep healthy, stay at home and matatapos din ang lahat ng ito,” she added.
Health workers employed at the We Heal As One Centers are given free meals and accommodation in hotels within the Clark Freeport Zone.