| IRRI Conducts NEST, Medical Consultations in Laguna Barangays |
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| Friday, 01 February 2002 | |
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Los Baños - Four actual emergency cases served as hands-on training for 28 participants in the recent Neighborhood Emergency Services Team (NEST) training implemented by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) under its various community projects in Laguna. A team from the Manila-based Emergency Resource Center (ERC), Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET, Laguna Chapter), with training support from the IRRI Safety and Security Services and cooperation from the local government units of Bay and Los Baños, conducted the NEST training in Barangay Malinta of Los Baños, Laguna. One of the emergency cases was a nine-year-old, grade-three male pupil of Malinta Elementary School who had been sideswiped by a tricycle. Another case was a 74-year-old man who suffered abrasions and hematoma after an emotionally disturbed person kicked him. One involved a 20-year-old male who was attacked by a group of men with blunt weapons. The victim suffered hematoma and loss of sensation in his lower extremities before being taken to the Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital in Calamba for medical treatment. The NEST team also performed a successful emergency childbirth procedure when a mother who gave birth to an eight-pound boy. They were given first-responder care and protection. “These incidents made the participants appreciate the community’s need for the NEST program,” said IRRI Information Services Manager Sylvia Inciong. “Malinta Barangay Chairman Nestor Lanceta and the 28 volunteers expressed their gratitude to IRRI and ERC for providing them with such community-based emergency response training,” added Community Projects Officer Lito Platon. The IRRI Community Projects program, under IRRI Visitors and Information Services, launched the NEST program in Malinta on 5-9 December, in cooperation with the office of Los Baños Mayor Caesar Perez and barangay officials. The second NEST training was held on 23-27 January in barangays San Antonio and Masaya in Bay, Laguna. It covered training in first aid and responses to fire, flood, earthquake, road, household and health-related emergencies. Medical clinics were also run by IRRI at a cost of P186,942 in barangays Putho-Tuntungin, Paciano Rizal, Masaya, Tranca, Sta. Cruz and Puypuy, in cooperation with PAMET, the Department of Health, pharmaceutical companies, and barangay health workers. These benefited 351 patients who were tested for blood sugar level, 77 patients tested for cholesterol and triglyceride determination, 278 ECG patients, 403 patients for medical consultations, and 154 patients for blood typing. IRRI is the world’s leading international rice research and training center. Based in the Philippines and with offices in 11 other countries, it is an autonomous, nonprofit institution focused on improving the well-being of present and future generations of rice farmers and consumers, particularly those with low incomes, while preserving natural resources. IRRI is one of 16 Future Harvest centers funded by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), an association of public and private donor agencies. |
