The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has established Station Health Units (SHUs) in five police districts in Metro Manila to address the rising number of police personnel infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“This initiative aims to ensure and guarantee the health and safety of NCRPO’s front-line force in the battle against the Covid-19 virus and other emergency health situations,” NCRPO Chief, Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, said in a statement on Wednesday.

The five police districts under NCRPO are the Manila Police District (MPD), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Northern Police District (NPD), Southern Police District (SPD), and Eastern Police District (EPD).

Sinas said the SHUs would serve as force multipliers of the Regional Health Service – NCRPO in the management of Covid-19 cases among its personnel.

The SHU, he said, would be primarily responsible for monitoring the health status of police officers within its area of responsibility; assist personnel due for physical fitness tests, annual physical examination, medical evaluation, and other personnel medical requirements; and provide tactical medical support during station operations.

Currently, the NPD has established five SHUs manned by 50 personnel while the EPD also has five units handled by 61 personnel. The MPD has 13 units with 87 staff members, the SPD has eight units manned by 48 personnel, and the QCPD has 13 units with 79 personnel.

“I am impressed by the immediate adherence of all police districts to my call for the creation of a Station Health Unit in their respective areas of responsibility. This endeavor will surely benefit our police officers who are doing their best in maintaining peace and order in the community while also fighting the unseen enemy,” Sinas said.

He earlier pledged to prioritize the health and welfare of the NCRPO personnel as he led the blessing of the Emergency Treatment Facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa Bicutan, Taguig City.

“As the world continues to grapple with the current health crisis, the NCRPO did not stop in its commitment to prioritize the health and welfare of its personnel who are playing remarkable roles in this battle,” Sinas said.

He said the emergency treatment facility would house NCRPO’s Covid-19 patients with mild to severe symptoms.

Through the help of Infiniweb Technology, Inc., headed by its president Sunny Liu, Sinas said the facility was set up and would be managed by NCRPO’s medical team.

“Over the six months of being (on) the front line of this plight, NCRPO’s interventions to prevent the virus (have) been magnificent and effective. Nonetheless, we will continue what we have started and the public can be assured that front-liners who serve them day to day, are healthy, safe and free from the virus,” he said.

On Tuesday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service reported 34 more personnel who have contracted the virus, increasing the PNP’s tally to 5,462.

It said 4,164 police personnel have recovered from the disease while the death toll stands at 17. (PNA)