The SU College of Nursing, in cooperation with the Philippine Nurses Association-Negros Oriental chapter, produced and distributed almost a thousand face shields to frontliners in the Province.
The initiative aimed to address the shortage of personal protective equipment for healthcare providers amid the CoViD-19 pandemic, according to Dr. Theresa Guino-o, SUCN dean.
The face shields were distributed to all community hospitals and district hospitals in Negros Oriental, and to all city hospitals, rural health units, the City Health and Provincial Health offices, and to the frontliners at the Silliman campus. The Nursing college also donated bottles of alcohol and other improvised PPEs.
“We had received a lot of requests from nurses, and even some doctors in the Province, since the supplies especially in government hospitals and rural health units were running out fast,” said Dr. Theorose June Quiltnet-Bustillo, who sits in the Chapter’s House of Delegates of PNA Officers. She noted the initial move sparked enthusiasm among the PNA members, who used their funds for the initial purchase of the materials.
Faculty members, staff, students from Silliman and the Negros Oriental State University helped produce and distribute the face shields, based on a design posted by the PNA on its Facebook page. The provincial chapter of PNA is headed by Frances Almira Cal.
“After we posted on Facebook that we were making face shields for the frontliners, a lot of generous hearts shared their blessings. Their donations included face masks, alcohol, improvised overalls, IEC materials, hand sanitizers, and bathing supplies for the health workers,” Bustillo said.
Other groups like the SUCN Alumni Association, the SUCN canteen, various alumni groups also contributed to the purchase of more supplies.
“As nurses in the academe, we cannot afford to just sit in our homes, watching other nurses in the frontlines fighting this unseen enemy,” said Guinoo. “Social media makes us aware of the needs of healthcare workers in the Province. As Silliman faculty and PNA officers, we have the mandate to respond for the welfare of nurses and the health of society…We remain steadfast in our commitment to serve the people of Negros Oriental in various capacities within the healthcare sector during this challenging and uncertain time,” she said. (SU/OIP)