PHL RED CROSS CITED FOR KEY ROLE IN COVID RESPONSE

RECOGNIZING its “extraordinary accomplishments” in the country’s fight against Covid-19 and in providing humanitarian assistance, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) commended the Philippine Red Cross as it also set the standard worldwide for its testing capacity that has reached over a million people.

“I want to express our support globally for the work of the Philippine Red Cross and acknowledge the extraordinary contribution they’re making by testing over a million people all throughout the country. And I hope very much that it continues,” said Robert Kaufman, head of the IFRC’S country office. He added that the PRC is setting the standard worldwide for the humanitarian organization’s testing and is the only society out of 192 that received a letter from IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain acknowledging its extraordinary accomplishments on testing.

That accomplishment, he said, is a critical life-saving action.

“While we have incredible work in many places, this is one of the extraordinary Red Cross societies across the globe. They set an example to membership, staff and volunteers all around the world,” he added.

Kaufman also pointed to the importance of the community’s trust and partnerships, which grow stronger after trust has been gained, in the success of the PRC’S endeavors.

“But they [ PRC] can’t do it alone. It requires partnerships. And those partnerships are essential to success. Trust has to be earned every day with good decisions and the right actions. And PRC is doing that,” he added.

The IFRC, the world’s largest humanitarian organization, aims to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies, with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering, and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.

Founded in 1919, the IFRC comprises 192 member Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, a secretariat in Geneva and more than 60 delegations strategically located to support activities around the world.

On October 6, the PRC announced that it has reached another milestone in the fight against Covid-19 after it exceeded the 1-million mark in tests conducted.

At present, the PRC has 21 laboratories strategically located in 10 areas all over the country, with a total combined capacity of 42,000 tests per day, strategically located in 10 areas all over the country.

There are three more under way, according to PRC.

However, the PRC’S initiatives are being stalled by the cash crunch it has found itself in after the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) failed to pay P1.1 billion that Red Cross says it incurred under an agreement where PRC tests individuals covered by Philhealth, such as returning migrant workers.

Red Cross was forced to stop testing Philhealth- guaranteed individuals last week, and negotiations are under way for the state insurer to pay up.