The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) deployed 47 ambulances along the route of the procession of the Black Nazarene for Traslacion 2020.
Apart from ambulances, PRC chair and CEO, Senator Dick Gordon said the Red Cross also deployed three of its boats, an amphibian, and other rescue vehicles for emergency cases.
“Our objective is to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of the devotees during the height of the massive gathering.”
“Our objective is to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of the devotees during the height of the massive gathering,” Gordon said.
The veteran legislator said the PRC had coordinated with 11 nearby hospitals to accommodate patients for cases needing further medical assistance.
The PRC, the seasoned lawmaker added, also set up an Emergency Medical Unit (EMU) along the procession route. This outdoor hospital arrangement that was ran by volunteer doctors and nurses can accommodate special services, such as emergency childbirth, basic surgery, laboratory, and inpatient observation.
“13 first-aid stations with welfare desks were manned by volunteers.”
The senator said 13 first-aid stations with welfare desks were be manned by volunteers who have undergone emergency response training.
These stations tended to participants who sustained injuries and provided psychosocial support and assistance to those who were lost and were separated from their groups.
These first-aid stations were positioned at the Aquino monument, Round Table (Manila City Hall), Plaza Mexico (Post Office), San Sebastian Church, near the Quiapo Church, and three other areas.
Red Cross foot patrollers were also deployed to closely monitor the crowd along narrow streets and alleys. A thousand volunteers and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) were positioned in areas accessible to devotees who might encounter injuries and health emergencies.
The Traslacion or procession of the Black Nazarene is an annual gathering marked by millions of Catholic devotees from all over the country. The PRC has been providing assistance to the event, which usually attracts huge crowds and is prone to injuries and accidents.
In 2019, PRC volunteers and staff attended to 1,637 devotees who sustained minor and major injuries, such as difficulty in breathing, fainting, body weakness, seizure, and fracture.