PNP to reassess state of frontliners

AS coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases among policemen continue to rise, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will start reassessing the conditions of its Health Service Unit (HSU) personnel.

PNP chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said the reassessment would cover police doctors and nurses experiencing exhaustion.

A total of 2,283 Covid-19 cases were reported in the PNP as of August 3, with 11 deaths tallied. Suspected cases numbered 2,199; probable, 862; and recovered, 1,251.

Gamboa said he wanted a “heartto-heart talk” with the doctors and nurses of the HSU to determine their conditions.

“We will be reevaluating our health service personnel including our medical reserve force,” he told reporters.

The police medical frontliners are not only manning the PNP General Hospital but also other quarantine facilities, such as those at the Philippine

Sports Complex-Ultra in Pasig City and the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Gamboa said there should be no “time out” for members of the PNP, particularly those posted at checkpoints because it is their duty to be on their toes 24/7.

To prevent further increase of cases among its personnel, the PNP has provided personal protective equipment for its frontliners, scheduled sleeping hours through rotation and prescribed Vitamin C supplements for them, the PNP chief said.

Gamboa, meanwhile, explained that they do not have a tertiary hospital in the PNP, the reason why patients with severe Covid-19 symptoms were brought to other hospitals.

But a hospital with a tertiary capacity could be built by 2022 or 2023 in Camp Panopio in Quezon City under an ongoing P1.9-billion multiyear project of the police organization.