Last Batch of APMC Employees listens attentively as they join the Orientation on Sinovac Vaccination
Last Batch of APMC Employees listens attentively as they join the Orientation on Sinovac Vaccination
Day after the successful vaccination simulation exercise, the last batch of employees of the Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) concluded the series of orientation on Sinovac vaccination spearheaded by the APMC COVID-19 Task Force held at its gymnasium on March 5, 2021.
APMC under the proactive leadership of Dr. Shalimar Sani-Rakiin, the Medical Center Chief, and the dedicated members of the Task Force chaired by Dr. Abdullah M. Marohomsalic, Head of Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, are doing their best to educate at the same time informed the employees of the importance of the vaccine and advantages it gives to a person.
One of the important benefits of getting the vaccine is for the protection of the family. It will lessen the probability of transmission, especially to family members, friends, co-workers and other people. ,
Dr. Rakiin said, “There is HOPE. The Government is working so hard, spending billions to decrease the incidence of COVID cases, to decrease the number of deaths, to procure vaccines, to make sure all hospitals will have increased capacity to respond the COVID-19.”
With all these efforts initiated by the national government, all it asked to the people is to realize the importance of getting the vaccine. Minimum health protocols are still essential to sustain the fight and put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government needs the cooperation of the people to help make the effort a success and share in strengthening the country’s health care system, added the Medical Center Chief.
On the other hand, early morning of the same day, the 2 units of the Cold Chain Equipment 2 to 8 Degree Celsius has arrived at APMC ready to store the incoming Sinovac vaccines.
Dr. Rakiin and the APMC COVID-19 Vaccination Team is more than ready to perform the noble task to protect the health and safety of fellow frontline workers to continue serving patients of APMC.
APMC successfully conducts Vaccination Simulation Exercise
In preparation for the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program, Amai Pakpak Medical Center as one of the fortunate beneficiaries has earnestly taken steps for a smooth and effective implementation of the “RESBAKUNA,” an initiative of the National Government through the Inter-Agency Task Force and Department of Health to protect and secure the safety and health of healthcare workers.
On March 4, 2021, a team from the Center of Health Development of the Department of Health Region 10 led by Dr. Elma M. Oclarit, Family Health Cluster Head with Dr. Emma Pilar Imperio, Family Health Cluster Coordinator, MedTech Gemma G. Uy, and Health Program Researcher Adylynne Grace M. Lacuna, visited APMC to personally observe the simulation exercise conducted by the COVID-19 vaccination team.
Before the start of the simulation, Dr. Shalimar Sani-Rakiin, the Medical Center Chief, warmly welcomes the CHD-10 Team and expressed deep gratitude and appreciation for coming from the Regional Office for the noble purpose of helping prepare APMC for the mass vaccination beginning Monday, March 8, 2021.
“Over a year since our country reported the first COVID-19 case, HOPE is finally here in a form of the vaccine that will be delivered in the doorsteps of Amai Pakpak Medical Center. This simulation activity today will make sure that we will address all the steps and procedure towards reaching success to ward off the fear of the virus and Inshallah contribute in reaching herd immunity which is the goal of this mass vaccination. We, as health workers are encouraged to be advocates in this vaccination. We need to protect ourselves and our family from the dreaded virus. This is both our right and responsibility to our community and the people close to us,” Dr. Rakiin said.
According to Dr. Oclarit, the Sinovac has already arrived at Laguindingan Airport early today and carefully handled with all the necessary attention and followed all detailed procedures. The vials for APMC will be delivered tomorrow, March 5. Like other COVID-19 vaccines, Sinovac is a precious commodity not only in the Philippines but all over the world. And expressed hope that all healthcare workers will get vaccinated when it is time for them to be vaccinated. Most of the vaccines only differ in their efficacy against the mild to moderate form of the virus. Most vaccines have almost 100% efficacy for the severe type of COVID-19 disease.
During the simulation exercise, the CHD-10 Team carefully observed the process flow from the Waiting, Registration, Counselling, Screening, Vaccination, and Post Vaccination and Monitoring Areas.
After almost an hour, Dr. Oclarit and Dr. Imperio presented their findings and recommendations that would help improve the process flow to ensure efficient and effective vaccination.
One suggestion of the CHD-10 Team is for the Counselling and Vaccination Areas to always inform the vaccinees of the possible reactions of the vaccine.
Overall, the team commends the execution of the simulation exercise and the preparations made under the able leadership of Dr. Shalimar Sani-Rakiin and wished APMC good luck for a successful vaccination next week.
The Medical Center Chief humbly accepts the suggestions of Dr. Oclarit and Dr. Imperio and assures that APMC has taken note of the recommendations to ensure a positive outcome of the five (5) day vaccination.
On the first day of the vaccination, Dr. Rakiin expressly volunteered to be the first one to be vaccinated to demonstrate and convince the people of Lanao del Sur and other provinces that the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine is safe. With this, Dr. Oclarit expressed her deep appreciation for the commitment and strong leadership of Dr. Rakiin in support of the effort of the National Government and DOH.
APMC Multi-Specialty Centers conducts Coordination Meeting
The Heads of the different Specialty Centers has convened for a coordination meeting and to present their five (5) year development plan to the Medical Center Chief, Dr. Shalimar Sani-Rakiin, pursuant to DOH Department Order No. 2021-0001, re Designation of Selected DOH Hospitals as Specialty Centers and in compliance with the submission of investment plans on March 4, 2021.
Dr. Rakiin expressed support to the plans of each specialty center and humbly urged them to revisit their Investment Plan and consolidate their needs to be included in the Midterm Plan of Amai Pakpak Medical Center.
Manpower, Infrastructure, and Equipment are the three areas that were mainly discussed at the meeting. However, Manpower is the most challenging of the three areas. Inviting Medical Specialists to Marawi and work for APMC is the hardest of the three. Building additional Infrastructure is also a challenge not for financial reasons, but due to the lack of space. Dr. Rakiin earnestly asked the heads of the Specialty Centers and the Engineering Section to coordinate with each other in finding ways to improve or expand the areas, same for the Procurement Section with regards to the needed equipment and machines of each Specialty Centers.
With these present challenges, the Medical Center Chief believes that with the proactive coordination and support of the Heads of the Specialty Centers, as well as the Human Resource, Engineering, and Procurement Sections, it can craft solutions to accomplish the Development Plan of APMC in line with the PGS Roadmap.
The Specialty Centers that were designated by DOH to APMC are Cardiovascular Care, Lung Care, Orthopedic Center, Physical Rehabilitation Medicine, Mental Health, Neonatal Care, Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, Eye Care, and Dermatology Care.
The Cancer, Trauma, and Renal Centers though these three were not designated to APMC, still will aim to establish these centers in the years to come for the welfare of the people of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, nearby BARMM provinces, and Northern Mindanao.
The Multi-Specialty Coordination Meeting was held at the Executive Conference Room on March 2, 2021. Dr. Rakiin was joined by Dr. Moamar M. Casim, Chief of Medical Professional Staff; Dr. Omarbasha S. Lucman, Head of Cardiovascular Care, Dr. Norhanah M. Manua, Head of Lung Care; Dr. Abdullah M. Marohomsalic, Head of Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine; Dr. Quennie Michelle Dyan A. Alas, Head of Cancer Care; Dr. Alexis A. Gutoc, Head of Orthopedic Center; Dr. Angela B. Gutoc, Head of Physical Rehabilitation Center; Dr. Isnihaya M. Mapandi, Head of Neonatal Care; Dr. Margarita I. Echavez, Head of Eye Care; Dr. Aznaida T. Pandapatan, Head of Dermatology Care; Dr. Norodin S. Casib, Head of Trauma Care; Chief Nurse Marilyn D. Lucman; Financial and Management Officer Hazel T. Martinez; Chief Administrative Officer Dionesio L. Boroy, Jr.; Human Resource Management Officer Merlyn S. Lugo; Engineer Sittie Rohanifa S. Mango, Head of Engineering and Facilities Management and; Procurement Officer Ibrahem M. Ampa.
APMC joins DOH 10 Orientation on Vaccination Simulation
The COVID-19 Task Force of Amai Pakpak Medical Center participated in the Orientation on Vaccination Simulation spearheaded by the Regional Office of the Department of Health 10 via online on March 2, 2021.
Dr. Shalimar Sani-Rakiin, the Medical Center Chief, and the members of the COVID-19 Task Force together with the Chairman Dr. Abdullah M. Marohomsalic, Head of Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, unanimously agreed to conduct the vaccination simulation on Thursday, March 4, 2021.
Sinovac is the Coronavirus vaccine (Covac) that the government provides to all healthcare workers of the Department of Health and other front liners. For the number of vials that will be allocated to APMC and other DOH Facilities in the region, the Department of Health Regional Office said that it would depend on the number of personnel who consented for the vaccination as declared in the submitted master list. Healthcare workers who are 60 years old and above are not included in the vaccination.
The expected arrival of the Covac in the region from the Central Office is between the 6th or 7th of March. The Regional Office will then allocate the vaccines and transport to different DOH Facilities in Northern Mindanao.
APMC is thankful to UNICEF as it has expressed commitment to provide the vaccine carrier.
According to the COVID-19 Task Force, March 8 is the day to start the weeklong immunization program for APMC employees. Dr. Marohomsalic, presented a scheme which aims to accommodate more than a thousand employees in just five days, including the physical arrangement of the venue for convenience and comfort of the employees and in strict observance of the minimum health protocols.
The Task Force is expected to commence the vaccination from 7am until 4pm, and is targeting to immunize 24 to 30 persons in an hour.
DOH 10 has informed the participants that it will account all the distributed Covac vials and instructed to place in a sealed container after use. The vials will be then brought back to the Regional Office.
In support of the vaccination program of the government, Dr. Rakiin has volunteered to be immunized first and said that the vaccination simulation on March 4 is important to determine and correct earlier the flaws that might hinder the smooth implementation and to demonstrate that APMC is ready for the vaccination program to protect oneself, the family, and the community.
