Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday assured the public that it would continue to operate all its retained hospitals in Mindanao amid President Duterte’s declaration of martial law in the beleaguered region.
“All DOH-retained hospitals are fully operational in Mindanao,” Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said in a statement.
“We are confident that our hospital personnel possess the necessary competence to carry out immediate measures, facilitate recovery efforts, and reduce the impact of any emergency event that may arise,” she said.
She reiterated the DOH’s commitment to promoting and safeguarding the health and well-being of all Filipino people more so during times of crisis.
“The Department of Health will certainly not discriminate against any sector of the Filipino population in the performance of its duty, whether the patients be on the government side or otherwise, especially when it comes to health-related emergencies,” Ubial said.
She called on the public to be vigilant and cooperative with efforts to deal with unexpected challenges in times of crisis.
Due to the unique nature of the state of martial law in the country, Ubial reiterated that it stood by the provisions of the Geneva Convention regarding hospitals and health personnel.
The Geneva Convention outlines the standards for humanitarian treatment of populations in conflict areas, she said.
“The pertinent provisions state that ‘the wounded and sick, as well as the infirm, and expectant mothers, shall be the object of particular protection and respect,’” Ubial said.
Furthermore, the Convention states that civilian hospitals should, under no circumstances, be the object of an attack, she said.
The health secretary reminded all concerned sectors, including armed combatants, to adhere to the provisions of the Convention by respecting the nature of healthcare workers as noncombatants, subject to protection and due respect in the carrying out of their duties.
“The commitment to upholding the rights and protection to be accorded to hospitals, healthcare workers, and their patients in the time of conflict is key to minimizing the harm experienced by civilians during such difficult times,” Ubial said.