By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Federal responders from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services helped Guam Memorial Hospital ease the burden of medical surge at the Emergency Room in the aftermath of typhoon Mawar.
The federal health department sent two teams from the National Disaster Medical System to assist GMH in the ER, which was inundated with patients following the storm.
The first team arrived on Memorial Day, May 29, with medical staff that included four registered nurses, two doctors, three paramedics, and one physician assistant.
“We have been very grateful to have the NDMS teams onsite to support our ER staff. They integrated seamlessly with our team and provided invaluable support, especially when the ER was oversaturated with acutely ill patients,” said Lilian Perez-Posadas, hospital administrator/CEO
“The NDMS teams worked alongside our ER staff to facilitate excellent medical care for patients despite challenges forced upon us by typhoon Mawar,” she added.
The team, which left last week after the end of the mission, was joined by a team commander and a safety officer.
As the first team ended their two-week tour to assist GMH on June 6, a second team arrived the following day. The second NDMS team comprised three RNs, four paramedics, a team leader, and one safety officer.
“Responders from NDMS are everyday heroes from across the United States who answer the call when disaster strikes,” said Peter Cassell, spokesperson for the HHS Administration for Strategic Response and Preparedness.
“We supported Guam Memorial Hospital staff as they have been responding to the increase in patients due to the typhoon and treating patients in the emergency department. ASPR stands prepared for this tropical weather season and we thank our local and territorial partners in Guam for their work in recovering from Typhoon Mawar.”
