Filipino, American medical experts hold virtual health engagement
MANILA – As the Balikatan 36 exercises goes on, medical professionals from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) concluded their three-day virtual Global Health Engagement the other day.
In a statement, Major General Edgard A. Arevalo, Exercise Director of BK26-2021 and AFP Spokesman, he said the knowledge and key leader engagement which began last April 12 was held virtually for the first time because of the conditions dictated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The global pandemic may have limited some aspects of the Balikatan Exercise but it will never dampen the spirit of friendship, partnership, and shared aspirations of both Philippines and the United States armed forces,” General Arevalo said.
The PAF’s chief surgeon, Colonel Maria Socorro Posadas led the topics on aviation medicine, including the Role of AFP in Pandemic Management; Philippines’ COVID-19 Vaccination Plan; and Aerospace Medicine Guidelines; Aeromedical Evacuation Medical Equipment and Facility Modification; and Mass Casualty Response during pandemic.
Meanwhile, the PACAF Command Surgeon, Colonel Rudy Cachuela and international health specialist Lt. Col. Cherielynne Gabriel participated in the virtual activity from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii.
Colonel Gabriel said the main objective of the exchange is to provide an overview of the present pandemic situation from surveillance, on-scene response, testing and monitoring to patient treatment and modifications to patient movement. (Melo M. Acuña)
Filipino and American medical officers engage in virtual exchange on current health issues brought about my the COVID-19 pandemic. (AFP Handout photo)
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