PNRC modernization program to include telemedicine - Gordon

Can you imagine injuries of accident victims being treated with the use of videos where doctors give first-aiders step-by-step instructions before they are even brought to hospitals?

Senator Richard J. Gordon (Ind.) assured that this would be a usual sight in the not so distant future once the modernization of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) is completed.

"Yung first world standards sa first-aid treatment, maganda yun kung meron tayong gamit. Kaya kami, minomodernize namin ngayon ang Red Cross. All the Red Cross chapters now, binibigyan ko ng ambulansiya na merong oxygen at resuscitator, ang kailangan namin respirator," he said.

"Later on magkakaroon pa ng video para makita yung wound, kung saka-sakali. We'll have telemedicine," he added.

Gordon also said they now have motorcycle-riding first-aiders who can gain access even in areas that are too narrow for the ambulance to enter and give the necessary first aid treatment.

"Meron na kaming mga naka-motorsiklo na may first aid, lalo na sa Maynila ma-traffick. Kapag may naaaksidente, madalas may mga naka-motorsiklo na naaaksidente sa gabi. Siyempre hindi tayo makalapit dahil ma-traffic. O kaya araw, halimbawa yung noon sa Glorietta, hindi makapasok yung ambulansiya," he said.

"Mauuna ngayon yung mga naka-motorsiklong first-aiders. Para habang hinihintay ang ambulansiya may first aid na. Pabalik ngayon, kapag papunta na sa ospital, tatawagan na namin ang ospital para nakahanda na. O kaya magbibigay na lang ng instructions yung mga first-aiders namin. Saka may radio o may cellfone tatawagan sila," he added.

The senator also disclosed that they are already coordinating with various bikers' clubs in the country and forging an agreement where the club members will get first aid training and become Red Cross volunteers.