A young male patient suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and whose family has no means to transport him to a hospital in Cebu was flown there on a humanitarian mission by a military aircraft.
Western Command (WESCOM) spokesperson Lt. Col. Stephen Penetrante said Monday in a media briefing that the patient was transported on August 16 by an aircraft provided by the Tactical Operations Wing West (TOW West) from the Antonio Bautista Airbase in Barangay San Miguel.
He said the young boy’s bedridden situation and the financial difficulty his family is facing were brought to their attention by his attending physician in Puerto Princesa City.
Penetrante said the mother of the boy also sought their help.
“We endorsed the request to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and it provided a Nomad aircraft with a medical team to bring the young patient and his parents to Cebu,” he said.
Penetrante said extending their support to the most vulnerable who lack immediate access to medical care is part of the military’s objective to strengthen its relationship with members of the surrounding communities.
