Red Cross field hospital treating first patients in Philippines

Today in Ormoc, Philippines, a Canadian Red Cross medical team began treating their first patients at the newly opened field hospital.

This field hospital, also known as an Emergency Response Unit (ERU), is ready to provide care for those in the typhoon-affected community, including services ranging from surgery to pediatrics, basic health care, maternal and child health, outpatient, immunization and pharmacy.

The first patient admitted to hospital is 3-month old Raymart who is being treated for diarrhea and dehydration, which can quickly become life-threatening for young children. His family's home in Ormoc was completely destroyed by the storm.

Head Nurse Dawn Anderson visits with the hospital’s first patient, Raymart, along with his mother and sister.

Head Nurse Dawn Anderson visits with the hospital's first patient, Raymart, along with his mother and sister.

Rogelio Arges of Ormoc received treatment from the Red Cross field hospital staff for a broken arm the day before the hospital actually opened.

Rogelio Arges of Ormoc received treatment from the Red Cross field hospital staff for a broken arm the day before the hospital actually opened.

You can read more here about how the team was able to help Rogelio by treating his broken arm.

Over the past few days, the Red Cross team has been working hard to get the field hospital up and running as we mentioned in this photo blog. The field hospital is set up inside a series of tents, located near the local hospital which lost its roof and was flooded as a result of Typhoon Haiyan. The Red Cross field hospital will provide tremendous relief to assist local hospital staff who had been treating patients in the lobby and the hallways.


The field hospital is set up in a series of tents, in front of the damaged local hospital.

The field hospital is set up in a series of tents, in front of the damaged local hospital.

Doctors and nurses working in the field hospital are also preparing to assist in the delivery of 10-15 natural births daily, as well as performing up to 6 caesarian sections. This will provide much needed support to expecting mothers in the region.

A total of 28 delegates from the Canadian Red Cross, as well as Norwegian and Hong Kong Red Cross have been deployed so far to support the field hospital.

The Red Cross has been on the ground since before the storm hit, helping to evacuate families in coastal areas and supporting emergency shelters, is providing urgently needed basic services to affected communities.  The International Red Cross is coordinating closely with the Philippine Red Cross and has a global network of trained disaster response experts who are assisting in the recovery.

The field hospital was funded with support from the Canadian government and can be deployed quickly in times of disaster. You can support Red Cross relief efforts by donating now.

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