PRC Extends First Aid Treatment to Over 1,000 Patients During Sinulog and Ati-Atihan Festivals

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said that more than 900 patients in Cebu and around 350 others in Aklan received first aid treatment in its first aid stations during the Sinulog and Ati-Atihan festivals held over the weekend.

PRC Cebu chapter attended to a total of 930 patients during the entire duration of the Sinulog Festival, which culminated with the Grand Sinulog Parade on Jan. 17.

Of the total number of patients served at Red Cross first aid stations and by roving first aid teams, 533 patients were seen for blood pressure monitoring; 383 patients were treated for minor cases like dizziness, fainting, minor wounds and hyperventilation; and 14 patients were transported by ambulances to hospitals due to shortness of breath, asthma attack, loss of consciousness, and motor vehicle accidents.

A total of 205 staff and volunteers were mobilized for the Sinulog from Jan. 7 to 17, of which 152 came from the Cebu chapter, 50 from Lapu-Lapu chapter and three from Leyte chapter.

Red Cross staff and volunteers were distributed in the nine first aid stations that were put up (four inside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and five in different areas along the parade route). On foot responders or mobile first aiders were also deployed during the entire week of operation.

“I would like to congratulate our chapter in Cebu, and also Lapu-Lapu and Leyte chapters, which deployed personnel, volunteers, and vehicles to ensure the safety and well-being of those who attended and participated in the various Sinulog Festival activities. I would like to thank all staff and volunteers who gave their time and effort to assist patients brought to our first aid stations and who readily assisted those who needed help all throughout the festivities,” said PRC Chairman Richard Gordon.

The PRC chairman was in Cebu during the Sinulog grand parade and personally monitored the activities in the first aid stations and even joined some of the mobile first aiders in monitoring the situation.

Ati-Atihan Festival

Meanwhile, for the Ati-Atihan Festival, PRC Aklan chapter attended to a total of 356 patients, of which four patients were provided first aid treatment for minor cases and one hypertensive patient was transported to the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in Kalibo.

Aklan chapter put up a total of five first aid stations and deployed one ambulance and 65 first aiders and volunteer nurses during the entire operation from Jan. 13-17.

Gordon likewise commended the staff and volunteers of Aklan chapter for a successful operation.

“All of you have done a great job at keeping the people safe during the Ati-Atihan festivities. Congratulations to all of you and may you continue to serve the most vulnerable and help alleviate their suffering,” Gordon said.

The Red Cross chairman also called for more volunteers to participate in various operations of the PRC, such as in religious festivals and other festivities being celebrated in the country, and most especially during times of disasters.

“Join the Red Cross 143, more than being of service to your countrymen, keeping your family and community safe, you will find self-worth in giving a part of yourself to others,” Gordon said. (PNA) SCS/LSJ/PRC-PR