The deployment to Turkey of a Philippine medical team would help the Philippines get verified under the World Health Organization’s Emergency Medical Team’s (WHO-EMT) initiative.
Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday issued this observation during the welcome rites for the returning 30-man Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team (PEMAT) which was part of the Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PIAHC) sent to Turkey.
Vergeire said the team’s deployment to Turkey served as a step towards the country’s goal to be verified based on the standards set by the WHO-EMT initiative.
The DOH said in a message to reporters that the PEMAT is currently undergoing the verification process for such, and its deployment in Turkey “gives a chance to test our readiness and enhance our preparation to finally be classified” in the WHO-EMT initiative.
To ensure that quality health services are being provided, members of the WHO-EMT initiative are expected to:
Vergeire also said the international deployment of the PEMAT not only enriches the competencies of those deployed in disaster risk reduction and management, but also helps nations in times of emergencies where global action is expected.
“From the bottom of our hearts, we are very grateful to you for showing that Filipinos really care not only for our countrymen, but also for our brothers and sisters of any race anywhere in the world.),” Vergeire said in her speech.
“ We salute your steadfastness, courage, and heroism, above all. You are not just medical professionals, you are also heroes.” she said.