...the rescue assistants

Filipino medical teams to assist Japan quake victims

abs-cbnNEWS.com

03/12/2011

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) is now organizing elite Filipino medical teams who will be deployed to help earthquake victims in Japan.

PMA President Dr. Oscar Tinio said he already ordered Committee Chairman Dr. Antonio Cabigas to form elite medical teams composed of volunteer medical specialists in the fields of surgery, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, pediatrics, among others, to attend to the needs of victims of the 8.9 magnitude quake in Japan.

"The committee was tasked to mobilize our members nationwide to help address medical emergencies in times of disasters and emergencies," Tinio said in a statement.

Tinio added that they are now coordinating with the Japan Medical Association (JMA) to work out ways on how it can lend a hand.

Earlier, President Benigno Aquino III gave his assurance to Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan that the Philippines is ready to extend any support and assistance within its capability.

"We are therefore proposing to our government the immediate creation of a joint Public-Private Sector Philippine Contingent on Health that we can send anytime to Japan," he added.

Also on Saturday, the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) said it will also deploy 97 personnel to help in the search and rescue operations in Japan.