A dream I dreamt too late
Over the weekend, I chanced upon the news showing the new mission to the International Space Station aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule. The SpaceX Crew 2 consists of four members, one of them an American woman pilot, Katherine Megan McArthur. Then, I began dreaming and asking myself. What if I had become an astronaut or a space engineer? Well, I guess it's too late for me to do this in my life right now.
Amazed in seeing two women, Shannon Walker from SpaceX Crew 1 and Megan McArthur from Crew2, aboard the International Space Station at the same time last week after the Crew 2 Dragon docked successfully at ISS, I wished I had considered giving myself a chance to try out a breathtaking career of hopping aboard a space flight ad defying gravity in outer space. I just wonder what are the necessary preparations that entails an entry to the space i ndust r y?
In the Philippines, the interest and support for such industry have just started with the establishment of the Philippine Space Agency by virtue of Republic Act 11363 or the Philippine Space Act signed into law on 8 August 2019. This enactment aims to focus the Philippine government's management and operations of the Philippine government's space program which has been lodged in different agencies of the Department of Science and Technology or DOST.
Albeit the fledgling creation of our own space agency, the Philippines has launched successful space missions such as the Maya-2, the Philippines’second cube satellite and fourth small satellite overall which was deployed from the International Space Station through JAXA’s Kibo module last March 2021.
The provincial government, Department of Health and several private hospitals have partnered to implement the HCSP in three months. The program is available to those who prefer to be treated in private hospitals.
“Imbes na maghintay ng lima hanggang anim na praw, dito ginagamot ka na. Nagsasalba tayo ng buhay,” Pineda said.
After patients enroll in HCSP at the hospital of their choice, they will be assessed in the emergency rooms or undergo tests or procedures. If their condition allows home care, they will be sent home with medicines.
Vehicles to be used by doctors, nurses and other hospital staff will be issued car passes signed by the governor for travel to and fro the HCSP patient. These vehicles are known to the police and barangay.
Once rooms are readily available or if the need arises, they will be prioritized for admission.
“Yung national government pinag-aaralan na ito pero sa probinsya ng Pampanga magsisimula na ang implementation nito, he said.”
As of May 1, there are already 9 initial HCP-accredited hospitals while more hospitals are still submitting their letter of intent for accreditation by the provincial government.
The nine hospitals include the Green City Medical Center and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Medical Center in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga Medical Specialist Hospital in Guagua, St. Rafael Foundation and Medical Center in Mabalacat City, Pampanga Premiere Medical Center in Apalit, AUF Medical Center in Angeles City, Holy Trinity General Hospital in Arayat, St. John Paul II Medical Center in Magalang, and The Medical City Clark Hospital inside the Clark Freeport. These hospitals have the capacity to handle moderate to severe cases.
Pineda said only patients who have rooms with toilets at home and whose family members agree to be locked down can avail of the program.
“Mag-a-isolate at malalockdown kayo sa inyong kwarto for 14 days. Pati mga kasama ninyo sa bahay nakalockdown para hindi kayo maka-infect o makahawa,” he said.
“Kailangan po natin gawin ito, dahil kapag nagdown ang health system natin mas marami pong Kapampangan ang mamamatay,“Pineda added.
He said that Diosdado P. Macapagal Provincial Memorial Hospital in Guagua is also capable of handling COVID-19 patients. It has supplies of medicines needed by moderately to severely infected patients.
The provincial government has more than 1,200 isolations rooms for mild symptomatic patients. (Pampanga PIO)