Agusan Sur health workers train in mass casualty management
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Health workers in Agusan del Sur participated in a five-day Mass Casualty Management Training conducted by the Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga from May 26 to 30.
It enhanced the capabilities of the participants in mass casualty management, ensuring an effective and coordinated response during disasters.
The said training included a full-scale simulation exercise designed to assess the health workers’ performance in responding to individuals affected during a disaster scenario.
According to Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health (DRRM-H) Manager, Dr. Dioharra Aparri of DOH-CHD Caraga, this simulation exercise ensured that health workers, first responders, and emergency personnel are equipped with the right knowledge, skills, and coordination strategies necessary to effectively respond to mass casualty incidents resulting from disasters, accidents, or other emergencies.
“Through this training, our responders can quickly and efficiently assess, triage, treat, and transport large numbers of casualties during emergencies; train them in proper triage methods and in maximizing limited resources during high-demand situations; identify gaps in existing emergency plans and strengthen standard operating procedures through simulation and evaluation; and reduce morbidity and mortality rates by improving response time and the quality of emergency care during mass casualty events,” she said.
“I am truly pleased that this training was implemented in Agusan del Sur. Our health workers were highly supportive and participative, and fully-aware of the vital role they play in disaster response and emergency management,” she added.
Aparri further revealed that Agusan del Sur is one of the DOH’s implementing sites for Universal Health Care.
“Through simulations and practical exercises, health workers learn how to work cohesively with emergency teams, hospitals, and responders, fostering better communication and coordination,” she underscored.
Exposure to critical emergency training boosts morale and provides professional development opportunities for health workers, making them more resilient and capable in future crises. (JPG, PIA Agusan del Sur with a report from PPIO)
