Manila (ICRC) – Eight health facilities damaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan in Eastern Samar and Samar provinces have been fully restored and handed over today to local health authorities. As many as 60,000 people from seven municipalities will have access to health services at these facilities.
The Albino M. Duran Memorial Hospital in Balangiga, Eastern Samar, has provided preventive and curative health-care services to at least 17,000 patients since March 2014. Additionally, seven barangay (village) health centres – in Giporlos, Guiuan, Lawaan, Mercedes and Quinapondan in Eastern Samar, and in Basey in Samar – have been repaired or constructed.
"Now that the hospital has been rehabilitated, there is no longer a need to refer patients to other hospitals. They will save money and time as our services and facilities are readily available," said Dr. Benedicto Garcia, chief of the Albino M. Duran Memorial Hospital.
The facilities were rehabilitated and equipped by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), in coordination with the Department of Health and local government authorities.
In 2014, the ICRC completed the repair of Basey District Hospital and six rural health units in Eastern Samar and Samar provinces, and provided them with medical equipment and furniture.
The ICRC, jointly with the PRC, focused its response on the impact of Typhoon Haiyan on Samar Island, which is partly affected by armed violence and where the ICRC has been working for years to support the communities affected.
The ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization whose mandate is to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. It has had an established presence in the Philippines for over 60 years.
For further information, please contact:
Allison Lopez, ICRC Manila, tel: +63 908 868 6884
Wolde-Gabriel Saugeron, ICRC Manila, tel: +63 918 907 2125
