CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team (PEMAT) Luzon is among the three emergency medical assistance teams in the country that has been certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its compliance to international standards.
PEMAT-Luzon Team Leader Alfonso Danac said they met the EMT Type 1 Fixed standards, which means that the team can provide outpatient initial emergency care of injuries and other significant health care needs, and is also capable of treating at least 100 outpatients per day and function during daytime.
“PEMAT Luzon, which was organized by the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH), is listed as WHO EMT No. 46. It consists of 141 medical professionals from JBLMGH and the Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital,” he added.
With this recognition, Danac thanked JBLMGH Medical Center Chief Monserrat Chichioco for guiding and supporting PEMAT-Luzon, as well as the department chairs and unit heads for allowing their staff to join the team and be of service to the public.
For his part, WHO Representative to the Philippines Rui Paulo de Jesus commended the Department of Health (DOH) and the PEMATs for their continued dedication to providing quality emergency care and support to Filipinos and other countries in need.
“May the EMT badge further strengthen your commitment to humanitarian response and public health for all,” he said.
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the WHO-recognized PEMaTs demonstrate the DOH’s commitment and capability to safeguard public health and respond to crises—both here and abroad.
He also vowed that the Philippines will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the international community regarding public health and crisis response.
PEMAT-Luzon has been preparing for the verification in the last five years and continues to hone responders’ skills in emergency response through their several local deployments during typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.
In 2023, the team was also among those who provided medical assistance during the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the Republic of Türkiye, where they treated a total of 1,022 patients during their 14-day operation within the 21-day mission.
Aside from PEMAT-Luzon, PEMAT-Metro Manila and PEMAT-Visayas were also certified by WHO.
These PEMATs will now be part of the WHO’s Registry of Internationally Deployable Teams, which can self-sustain and deliver medical and public health services, as well as operate as an outpatient department within existing health facilities or as standalone health facilities, serving in temporary health tents during disasters worldwide. (CLJD/MJSC, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)