Nine medical nurses of Tarlac State University were deployed as volunteers to the Tarlac Provincial Hospital from May 25 to June 30, 2021 as additional workforce of the Provincial Government of Tarlac in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
According to Dr. Rommel Hernandez, Medical Officer III and University Physician, the nurses were requested by Dr. Jeanette Lazatin, Provincial Health Officer, to help in augmenting the government vaccination program.
Dr. Hernandez further said that this service is considered as their best practice this pandemic. The university does not only help curb the COVID cases in the province but continuously gives service to the public.
The Medical Services Unit were not subjected to the imposed skeleton workforce since the start of the pandemic to attend to the health and safety of the TSU Community.
The unit implements and monitors health protocols within the institution to decrease COVID-19 infections and avoid the possible spread of the virus as advised by the Department of Health.
In addition, Hernandez said at the time when the COVID-19 cases were rising, they went on a 24/7 monitoring to assess employees and guide them on proper tests, quarantine, isolation or proper transfer to a health facility, and securing a return-to-work clearance.
Nurses Marisol Ibarra, Marites Lapuz, William Salak, Cherryl Abila, Julius Erick Balilo, Rhoda Feliciano, Mary Gentes Pena, Rechristia Gonzalo, and Dana Marie Pagala were divided into three groups and took turns in rendering their services to TPH and in the TSU medical clinic. For safety, they are ferried by the TSU ambulance driven by Albert Canlas.
They will also help the City Government of Tarlac as the TSU employees, under A4 category, are set to have their first dose of vaccines in a vaccination hub that will be put up at the TSU gymnasium. The vaccination schedule is yet to be announced as of this writing.
