Medic stations to render aid to voters, personnel

Commission on Elections (COMELEC) chairman Andres Bautista   INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

ON ELECTION Day, voting precincts all over the country will have medical aid stations to serve the electorate and precinct personnel.

Comelec Chair Andres Bautista met recently with Health Secretary Janette Garin to discuss the setup and operation of the medical stations on May 9.

The stations will provide basic first aid and medicine to voters as well as the personnel manning the precincts as the long lines and exposure to the summer heat is expected to increase health risks at the polling centers, Bautista said.

“This is the first time the Comelec is partnering with the Department of Health (DOH) in this initiative that is part of our efforts to improve the voting experience,” Bautista said.

He said the DOH will cover the cost of setting up and operating the medical aid stations, as well as the hospitalization of government personnel working the precincts who may fall ill or suffer injury on the job on Election Day.

Linkups between the medical stations and nearby hospitals and health centers will be established for emergency medical response units to be quickly sent to the precincts should the need arise, Bautista said.

A memorandum of agreement between the Comelec and the DOH on the aid stations is expected to be signed before the end of the month.