Filtered By: Publicaffairs
Public Affairs

Ambulance on foot


Episode on March 23, 2009 Monday night after Saksi This Monday, Kara David revisits Bansud in Oriental Mindoro, the town where she produced her award-winning documentary “Gamu-gamo sa Dilim." But she discovers nothing has changed seven years after her first visit… and things have gone much worse for the people of Bansud. Kara learns that access to immediate medical care here is as remote as the nearest health facility in the province. She meets several residents already walking the line between life and death. Lowen Tayo has tuberculosis. Despite the relative ease of curing TB now, Lowen’s sickness has worsened due to the town’s lack of medical facilities. Just as badly situated are John Lloyd and Wendy. John Lloyd has broncho-pneumonia and hernia, while Wendy has severe burns all over her body. Since the hospital is a long way from Bansud, one can only wonder how their conditions may be remedied. The “Ambulance-On-Foot" appears to be these people’s only recourse. Bansud patients are brought to the nearest health facility on foot by their neighbors and loved ones using only woven hammocks. The trail treaded by the “Ambulance-on-Foot" is muddy, steep, and dangerous, yet upon reaching their destination, the families of the sick are still confronted with more problems. This harrowing documentary by Kara David airs Monday midnight after the late night newscast Saksi.
Ngayong Lunes, muling babalikan ni Kara David ang lugar ng mga “Gamu-gamo sa Dilim," ang bayan ng Bansud sa Oriental Mindoro. Marami sa mga tagarito ang may dinaramdam na sakit, pero ang kinakailangan nilang serbisyong medical, hindi agarang naibibigay dahil sa layo ng lugar. Makikilala ni Kara si Lowen Tayo na may sakit na tuberculosis. Kung tutuusin, madali nang magamot ang TB ngayon, pero dahil walang pasilidad sa lugar, lumala ang kanyang kalagayan. Ganito rin ang nangyari sa magkapatid na John Lloyd at Wendy. May broncho-pneumonia at hernia si John Lloyd, samantalang si Wendy, nalapnos ang balat matapos mabanlian ng kumukulong sabaw. Palaisipan ngayon sa mga taga-Bansud kung paano agad malalapatan ng lunas ang kanilang kalagayan. Ang tanging paraan nila, mga “ambulansiyang de paa." Gamit ang isang duyan, manu-mano nilang dinadala ang mga maysakit pababa ng bundok papunta sa ospital sa bayan. Pero sa kaligtasan nga ba sila dinadala ng kanilang mga paa? Muling mamulat sa isang makabuluhang dokumentaryo ni Kara David sa “Ambulansiyang De Paa" ngayong Lunes sa I-Witness, pagkatapos ng Saksi.
Tags: iwitness