Life goes on after Typhoon Haiyan: Inside the Red Cross field hospital

Topics: National, Emergencies and Disasters Worldwide
November 28, 2013

Emotions ran high as Mark Joseph Nuez sat on a folding chair under a Red Cross tent, on what used to be the lawn of the Ormoc District Hospital, the only fully public hospital on the island of Leyte, home to 190,000 people.  The 21-year-old student was just about to become a new dad, as his wife Phoebe, also 21, was labouring inside the Red Cross field hospital’s delivery tent.  

Nurses from Ormoc, who are working closely with the field hospital, and Red Cross midwives from Norway helped Mrs.Nuez through her delivery as her husband waited anxiously, knees bouncing and a worried frown on his face. “I’m scared, nervous, excited and scared…mostly scared,” he said. He was even more worried after Typhoon Haiyan devastated his town, leaving the city’s public childbirth facility in shambles.

As Typhoon Haiyan approached, along with the due date of their first child, they worried that the baby would be delivered in a hospital with no electricity and with no ability to carry out a caesarean section in the event of an emergency.  Mr. Nuez and his wife tried to travel to Cebu, five hours away by barge, where they knew health facilities were still functioning. However, when they arrived at the boat, they were told tickets were sold out for days to come. Besides, the ferry company told him that his wife was clearly too pregnant to travel.

Shortly after hearing the devastating news, Mrs. Nuez went into labour. After rushing for help, the couple were surprised to find a field of tents erected in the district hospital’s front yard, where the Red Cross field hospital was delivering babies daily. A relieved Mrs. Nuez was quickly ushered into the labour and delivery tent, while Mr. Nuez spent the night outside.

Midmorning the next day, the happy news arrived. Mr. Nuez was now a dad to baby Mark Nathan, the 21st baby to be delivered in only three days in the Red Cross hospital’s tent. Minutes later, all his nerves had washed away. “I’m only happy now,” he said, “happy and excited”.

While many lives have been destroyed by the devastating typhoon, life continues on for all those who were affected. The Canadian Red Cross field hospital is supporting the Philippine Red Cross and local health authorities in meeting the needs in affected communities, including surgery, pharmacy, maternal and child care and out-patient services.
 

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