Dengue patients from Batanes received Air Medical Evacuation assistance from Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) recently.

Itbayat, one of the most isolated islands in Batanes, was hardest hit with 23 cases, mostly children. Three were in critical condition due to low platelet count and were in need of immediate medical attention and evacuation.

Batanes Governor Marilou H. Cayco asked NOLCOM’s help for the med-evac.
Itbayat’s lone hospital does not have the capability to treat patients infected with the dengue virus. Two doctors from Basco have to be brought to Itbayat to help treat and prevent the outbreak in the island municipality.

NOLCOM responded immediately with the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in transporting patients for emergency treatment using a C295 plane.