MALAYBALAY CITY (April 3) – Personnel of Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center (BPMC) gave soldiers belonging to Army’s 403rd Brigade a 1-Day theory and practical on handling coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients inside Camp Osito D. Bahian based in the City last April 1 to 2.

Capt. Rene Belmonte, civil-military operations officer of 403rd Brigade in a statement, said soldiers were trained in 2 batches.

He said the 1st batch is composed of 61 soldier students last April 1, and another 80 have completed the orientation training the following day.

Ms. Marlah Samson, Health Emergency Staff Operations Officer of BPMC, said: “It is important that our soldiers learn the protocol and proper procedure especially those involved in patient transfer and those that are in the frontlines.”

The training entitled “Orientation on the Emerging Disease COVID-19: Donning and Doffing of PPE with Transport Simulation” involves half-day theory and a half-day practical at BPMC COVID19 Facility Infection Control Unit.

“During this pandemic on worst-case scenario wherein a lot of our healthcare workers were also infected by the virus, our soldiers must be prepared to reinforce us (health workers), especially on the transport of patients and other health works in healthcare facilities” Samson added.

Col. Ferdinand Barandon, Commander of 403rd Brigade covering Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, and Cagayan de Oro City, thanked BPMC.

He said, “As soldiers, we train to win a war. We thank the BPMC for this initiative of training our soldiers on our worldwide battle against COVID19. This training will protect our soldiers as we continue to protect our people”.

Samson further said, “During our practical, our soldiers were able to transport and properly endorse mock patients to receiving hospital units. It was successful orientation training for our soldiers. We extend our heartfelt thanks as health workers to the 403Bde leadership and our students. God will help us with our battle against COVID19.”

Soldiers who attended the -2-day activity came from the Headquarters of the 403rd Brigade and the five battalions composed of 58th IB based in the Eastern part of Misamis Oriental, 65th IB based in the hinterland of Cagayan de Oro City, 1st Special Forces Battalion, 8th IB based in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, and 88IB based in Maramag, Bukidnon.

Malaybalay is placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), while the entire province of Bukidnon is under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and the State of Calamity.