Pagcor Chairman Efraim Genuino said the launching of the project was in line with President Arroyo’s order for the agency to make "the presence of government felt where it is most needed."
He explained that the Hotline 966 project, developed after the success of the 911 system in the United States, receives calls 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Manning the lines are Pagcor’s own emergency medical technicians (EMTs), who are dispatched immediately after a call has been made. The EMTs, specially trained to provide assistance up to the level of advanced life support, are backed by four fully equipped Type II ambulances.
"Pagcor is already active in all areas of community service such as beautification, street-lighting, and provision of police vehicles to promote peace and order. We realized that this ambulance service system will not only save countless lives, it will have the highest impact on the poor," he added.
Genuino said he conceived the idea for Hotline 966, when he realized the inadequacy of the present ambulance services available to the public.
"The sad fact is that people die on their way to the hospital because of the lack of proper transport and insufficient training of personnel handling the emergency cases," Genuino said. "By creating the Hotline 966 system, we make sure that they have a greater chance of survival."
Dr. Julius Drilon, head of the Pagcor Emergency Medical Services Section, said under the project, patients are already given medical treatment to stabilize their situation before getting to the hospital.
Drilon said that even while mobile, the EMTs can continue stabilizing the patient as the ambulances are equipped with state-of-the-art, life-saving machines such as ventilators, defibrillators and communication equipment. In fact, Pagcor’s ambulances can be referred to as "mini-hospitals" or "emergency room-on-wheels," Drilon said.
Aside from possessing the necessary medical backgrounds, Pagcor EMTs undergo rigid training on paramedic courses and even defensive driving every six months to maintain their level of efficiency and quality of service. The EMTs are supervised by a doctor trained as an emergency room physician.
People using their cellular phones or telephone lines can access Pagcor’s emergency medical services through these numbers: (02) 525-1393/96, (02) 525-1428/31/47. — Sammy Santos