It was past midnight, within the first hour of May 16, when a fire broke out on the third floor of the biggest COVID-19 referral hospital in the country. Hospital staff was alert, calm, and quick in selflessly putting patients out of harm’s way.
The University of the Philippines’ Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) successfully evacuated its patients and health care workers with a zero casualty count from the traumatizing fire. Nearby hospitals stepped up to take in displaced patients.
What happened at the UP-PGH during those hours of fear and uncertainty? How did its people deal with an emergency on top of a public health crisis?
Learn about the UP-PGH’s disaster preparedness in the middle of a pandemic in the 53rd episode of the UP “Stop COVID Deaths” webinar series, “May Sunog! Ligtas na Paglikas sa Panahon ng COVID-19”, on May 21, 12nn Philippine time, via Zoom.
Listen to Dr. Rodney Dofitas, a senior surgeon, who heads manpower support in the UP-PGH COVID Crisis Team and who was present at the time of the incident, recount the events of that early morning fire—from the deployment of the hospital’s evacuation response, to working in coordination with firefighters and setting up the incident command system.
Crucial decisions and strategies to emerge stronger from this event will be discussed by Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, UP-PGH Director.
Learn about the hospital’s disaster preparedness plans and drills from Dr. Carlos Primero Gundran, UP Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Head.
Get insights from the reactors: Dr. Regina Berba, Head of the UP-PGH Infection Control Unit, on infection control risks in emergencies; Dr. Stella Marie Jose, Deputy Dfor Health Operations of the UP-PGH, on the evacuation of children with cancer; and, Dr. Jonas del Rosario, UP-PGH spokesperson, on communication and working with media.
To register for the webinar, go to bit.ly/StopCOVIDDeathsWebinar53. If the Zoom registration can no longer be accommodated, the webinar’s livestream may be viewed via TVUP’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.