Manila: Three Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Teams (PEMATs) are on standby, ready to assist in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that has impacted Myanmar and Thailand, as confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has directed these teams to prepare for deployment, pending the completion of international coordination protocols and a formal request from the affected nations.

According to Philippines News Agency, the magnitude 7.7 earthquake has prompted immediate action from the Philippine government, with coordination ongoing with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s office to streamline efforts with ASEAN neighbors. Herbosa emphasized the readiness of the PEMATs, which have previously been deployed for international humanitarian missions, including to Turkey in 2023.

The three PEMATs are composed of members from the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, and the Eastern Visayas Medical Center. Classified as Type 1 Fixed EMTs, these teams are equipped to deliver care during daylight hours for both trauma and non-trauma cases, and can offer community-based primary care in an outpatient facility.

The DOH reiterated the teams' preparedness for humanitarian assistance, highlighting their certification and recognition for international deployment. The response aligns with the broader international efforts to address the disaster, which the United States Geological Survey has marked under 'red alert' due to the potential for high casualties and extensive damage.

Latest updates from Myanmar's State Administration Council report a rising death toll of 694, with 1,670 individuals injured and 68 still missing, underscoring the urgent need for medical and humanitarian support in the region.