ZAMBOANGA CRISIS: MOBILE OPERATING ROOM AT ZCMC-WMSU GYM! @ SEPTEMBER 2013

On Day 7, I had the chance to visit the Zamboanga City Medical Center satellite site at the Western Mindanao State University gym and at that time they were setting up the Mobile Operating Room within the WMSU gym.

Operating Room at the end of the gym near the stage

The team is headed by Dr. Romulo Busuego, Asst, Secretary of the Department of Health (Secretary for Mindanao) and also Chief of Hospital III of the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum, Davao Del Norte.

We met Dr. Russel Sasing, neurosurgeon (in blue) and Dr. Mauro Bravo, surgeon (in black) from DRH

DRH informed us that this Program has already been ongoing for 20 years and they call it SNEP or Surgical Networking Extension Program. Here are photos as they were setting up the Operating Room:

Meet Ma'am Elvie Oberon, Cluster Head for Special Areas of the Davao Regional Hospital, Tagum, Davao Del Norte who is taking care of the setting up of the mobile Operating Room. 

The DRH SNEP brought over their own OR beds, OR lights, Anesthesia machines, Oxygen Tanks and all the needed medicines and supplies for surgery and recovery.

Preparing the equipment for the OR...

The Operating Room is now ready for four tables:

three tables but can add one more...

the DRH Team ready to serve Zamboanga City

Dr. Romulo Busuego (in shorts) arrived...

The Recovery Room:

Then, Dr. Busuego arrived together with DOH USec Dr. Mila Fernandez and DOH-CHD IX Regional Director Dr. Nimfa Torrizo.

Welcome Dr. Nimfa Torrizo, the very new Regional Director for DOH-CHD IX. She was welcomed with a BLAST!!!

I heard that our new friend from DRH, the Neurosurgeon, Dr. Russel Sasing was indeed able to perform drainage of Brain Abscess at the Mindanao Central Sanitarium during this time. Thanks to all the doctors, nurses and the whole crew of the Davao Regional Hospital, Tagum, Davao Del Norte for sharing their time, talent and treasure to Zamboanga City.

The presence of this mobile Operating Room is reassuring to add facilities in case of any Patient Surge during the ongoing conflict this Zamboanga Crisis 2013.