Group of Belgians donate 100 beds to Cebu hospitals amid COVID-19 threat

A group of Good Samaritans from Belgium donated 100 beds for hospitals in Cebu amid the rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Manila shared that the group helped set up the province's temporary COVID-19 hospital with beds coming from Antwerp.

One of the volunteers, Patrick Haghedooren, told GMA News Online that they were able to transport the beds right before Cebu was placed under enhanced community quarantine on March 27.

"It's good that before the lockdown the beds where there in Cebu...they are there for good sake of the COVID-19 patients," he told GMA News Online.

But Haghedooren said their efforts are not limited to Cebu, but extend to other provinces of Visayas and Mindanao — and that they have been doing voluntary work for the region for 14 years already.

The group of five, who identify themselves as Solidariteit Southern Leyte, have donated bed foams, examination tables, and wheelchairs, to public and private hospitals to Cebu, Samar, Cotabato, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, among others.

"I think I donated already more than 9,000 wheelchairs to poor handicapped children. I myself bring the goods to the people to be sure that they will reach the people who need it," Haghedooren said.

Under Cebu's enhanced community quarantine, entry of all persons arriving from international flights are prohibited.

A married couple, both doctors, from Cebu were among the country's casualties in the battle against COVID-19.

Dr. Dennis Ramon Tudtud, an oncologist died three days after his wife Helen, a pathologist due to the disease.

As of Monday, the Philippines has recorded 3,660 confirmed cases, 163 deaths, and 73 recoveries.

—JCB, GMA News