(L-R) Dr Jaime Galvez Tan (HFI Founder and Chairman), Cora Delos Angeles Añonuevo (HFI President), DOH-CALABARZON Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo, and Malvar Mayor Cristeta Reyez cut the ribbon to formally open the Malvar Community Isolation Unit during the blessing and turn-over ceremony held in Barangay Poblacion, Malvar, Batangas.
By Glen Ramos
MANILA — TheDepartment of Health (DOH)-CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and Health Futures Incorporated formally opened the Community Isolation Unit (CIU) for Covid-19 patients in Barangay Poblacion, Malvar, Batangas during the blessing and turn-over of the facility to the local government unit on Tuesday, 19 January 2021.
In his speech, Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo expressed his gratitude for the continued support of HFI and other partner agencies in the fight against Covid-19.
“Napakaganda at napakaimportante na magkaroon tayo ng mga community isolation unit na fully-equipped para sa ating mga pasyente ng COVID-19,” Janairo said.
“These CIUs will decongest our main hospitals and will allow them to resume their normal operations, upang makatanggap pa ng ibang mga pasyente dahil yung ibang hospital na natin ay puno na, and also to provide a safe facility for non-COVID patients,” he added.
The construction of the Malvar CIU began on November 7, 2020. It has an 8-bed capacity with a total cost of P1.2M. Beds and electric fans were provided by the regional office.
This facility will be managed by Malvar LGU with manpower support from DOH-CALABARZON.
The CIUs are an initiative of HFI in partnership with Direct Relief and Unity in Isolation together with DOH Calabarzon, Malvar LGUs, Palawan Pawnshop Express Pera Padala, Boysen Phil, UAP Laguna and Ardegal Construction.
The Health Futures Foundation, Incorporated (HFI) was founded by its Chairman Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan to advocate and act in the best interest of the poorest to achieve total health and development.
“We will continue to provide the necessary support for the health and welfare of the Filipino people,” Galvez-Tan assured.
The foundation has been a partner of various national and international agencies including academic institutions in the promotion and implementation of universal and primary health care
The Malvar Community Isolation Unit is the 12th quarantine facility that the HFI and Unity in Isolation was able to support. One more CIU is under construction and will also be opened this year.
The Unity in Isolation is a group of private companies and individuals who have put their resources together to be able to build Quarantine Facilities for hospitals and LGUs in need during this Covid-19 pandemic.
As of January 19, 2021, the municipality of Malvar has 513 Covid cases with 498 recoveries. There are only four active cases and 11 deaths recorded.
Only Monday, the town registered but one positive case of the coronavirus.
The facility is an initiative of Health Futures Foundation, Incorporated and Unity in Isolation together with other partner agencies. (AI/MTVN)
