Hospital to reopen in besieged Marawi
Portions vital to the functioning of the facility have been destroyed by Maute militants
The returning hospital staff need to conduct inventory and evaluation of facilities which can still be used.” P.J. Rosell-Ubial | Health secretary
Three weeks after heavy fighting and hostagetaking by militants forced Marawi City’s Amai Pakpak Medical Centre to close doors, the health institution is poised to reopen and serve local residents.
“The DOH [Department of Health] is keen on reopening the Amai Pakpak Medical Centre, after weeks of being shut down due to the Marawi clashes. The Armed Forces of the Philippines already gave the hospital the go-ahead signal for medical staff to return to duty,” Department of Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said in a statement yesterday.
Amai Pakpak Medical Centre is the main government heath services institution in Marawi City.
Held hostage
On the afternoon of May 23, when the crisis in Marawi City began, a group of heavily armed Maute gunmen took over the hospital, virtually holding hostage doctors and hospital staff. Several days after the crisis took place, the hostages were eventually released but the hospital had been unable to function.
Rosell-Ubial said officials are carefully studying the ongoing situation to manage the revival of operations of the medical centre.
Portions vital to the functioning of the hospital have been destroyed by the Maute.
“The returning hospital staff need to conduct inventory and evaluation of facilities which can still be used,” Rosell-Ubial said.
She said that despite the situation, the DOH continues to respond to the health challenges in Marawi City in the midst of the ongoing siege.
According to Western Mindanao regional military chief, Lt Gen Carlito Galvez, heavy fighting between the Maute and security forces had diminished but the militants remain in control of 20 per cent or three villages in Marawi City.
Government had deployed its biggest military build-up in Central Mindanao in recent years to confront the Maute, a group that claims allegiance to the Middle East-based Daesh.
The fighting in Marawi City had resulted in a massive humanitarian concern as thousands have been displaced.
According to the latest data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), there are 4,317 families or 20,754 people who are currently staying in 64 evacuation centres in Marawi City as well as in Iligan City and other nearby urban centres, and another 42,672 families or 207,622 have temporarily moved in with their relatives or friends in nearby regions.
“In times like this crisis, DOH gives special attention to the vulnerable age groups,” Rosell-Ubial said.