LOOK: New COVID-19 facility opens in Manila

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday (May 18) launched the new quarantine hospital at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila. AFP PAO

MANILA, Philippines—Suspected COVID-19 patients will soon have access to a new facility in Metro Manila as part of the government’s efforts to ease the burden on hospitals overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday (May 18) launched the new quarantine hospital at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate.

The 100-bed facility will be manned by an emergency medical team from the AFP Health Service Command composed of four military doctors, nine military nurses and 17 medical aides. An administrative staff consisting of six military officers and six enlisted personnel will also join the team, the AFP said in a statement.

Col. Nelson Pecache, the AFP Surgeon General; Lieutenant Colonel Barbara Lolloni Conte, Chief of Health Care Services, RJTF NCR CARE; and Major Service representatives attended the blessing ceremony. Officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health and Task Force COVID-19 were also present.

A lecture on post-mortem care for COVID-19 patients by Department of Interior and Local Government’s Ruel Capunan was also attended by 30 medical workers after the ceremony.

The AFP has been supporting government response since the outbreak on coronavirus began. Aside from manning some of the government’s quarantine facilities, the military has been assisting the Philippine National Police in enforcing the enhanced community quarantine. It has also been deploying its air, land and sea assets to support logistics operations and it has been conducting humanitarian efforts.

Edited by TSB