A Department of Health-run regional hospital here is sending 40 volunteer healthcare workers to the island province of Siquijor to augment the resident’s healthcare needs amid the rise in the number of coronavirus cases.

In a statement, the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) said the hospital management, led by Dr. Gerardo Aquino Jr., has worked with the DOH-Region 7 in sending Cebu-based healthcare workers to augment the number of medical front-liners.

“After VSMMC augmented healthcare needs in NCR Plus this year, we now travel to our beloved neighbor, Siquijor Province, to ensure the spirit of ‘bayanihan’ and camaraderie in this trying time of history. No one shall be left behind,” the VSMMC statement read.

The team sent to Siquijor included doctors, nurses, medical technologists, radiologic technologists, pharmacists and respiratory therapists.

The medical team left for Siquijor Monday night.

Despite limitations and needs, the regional hospital also offered equipment and supplies.

“We would like to express our thanks to the Philippine Army and Philippine Coast Guard for all the assistance. Let us continue to pray for our team and for our neighbor, Siquijor,” the statement read.

On Tuesday last week, the DOH-7 sent 10 nurses to Siquijor to augment its health workforce.

On October 19, it reported a decline in the number of Covid-19 cases in Siquijor amid the efforts to contain the rise in infections that started in September.

The province has the lowest total number of coronavirus infections since last year but as of Monday, Siquijor was second from among the provinces in Central Visayas with the most number of cases at 1,507, tagging along Negros Oriental with 3,802 cases, while Cebu and Bohol have 722 and 688 cases, respectively.

Although it reported zero recoveries, about 38 percent or 935 of the 2,466 total number of Siquijor residents who tested positive for Covid-19 have recovered. It has had 24 total deaths since the pandemic broke out last year. (PNA)