Aside from the doctors, nurses and their respective emotional entanglements and individual neuroses, paramedics are given utmost importance in top medical dramas like ER, Chicago Hope and Grey’s Anatomy.

The significance of paramedics is well-emphasized in these televised medical dramas because, in real-life emergency scenarios, they are the first line of earth angels crucial to the survival of an individual or group of patients. Professionally defined, paramedics are qualified and regulated health professionals who specialize in providing emergency medical care in critical or life-threatening situations.

They are the immediate responders to accidents and medical emergencies working on ambulances or in rapid response vehicles. They assess patients’ conditions, provide on-the-spot treatment and transport individuals to hospitals. They play not only a crucial but vital role and responsibility in the health care system, specifically in urgent care settings.

The truth is, in Philippine health care businesses and systems, there is not only a scarcity, but a rarity of paramedics in government-owned or -funded hospitals. It is only in private hospitals whose clientele are the affluent and powerful that they are in the roster.

Anyone who has experienced a life-and-death situation would know the tale and truth: when the ambulance arrives, there are no paramedics present to assess the medical emergency and situation. In barangay health centers, having a paramedic is just but a dream. Thus, one cannot help but wonder: is there something being done about this paramedic dearth?

First 86

Thanks to the Dr. RA Fernando School of Healthcare Technology, headed by its president Marylou Fernando, who partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), headed by the honorable Secretary Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, the answer to the question regarding the undersupply of paramedics is now addressed.

There are 86 new paramedic graduates from NCR, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Majority of the graduates are already registered nurses and professional doctors. This commencement marked a significant milestone in their journey and commitment to saving lives and serving communities.

In his speech, Secretary Benitez told the first batch of paramedic graduates: “You are just starting in your new journey as paramedics. With the skills you learned from this training, you have the power to preserve life. But with that power is the responsibility to provide quality emergency medical care.”

He added, “May pressure sa inyo (The pressure is on you). Pero (But) remember, service is not a solitary duty. It is about teamwork and collaboration. Sa trabaho niyo bilang mga you’re your work as a) paramedic, work as a team. Dahil kapag tulong-tulong, marami tayong buhay na maililigtas, marami na tayong buhay na mababago (When we help each other, we can save more lives, we can help more lives begin anew).”

In an interview, Fernando said: “We take pride in being the first to establish the paramedic course in our country. First batch pa lang ito and marami pang batches ang susunod (This is just the first batch and more will follow). Ang nakakatuwa (What’s great) with this group, they come from all over the Philippines and majority ay (are) professionals na (already) in the fields of medicine and nursing.”

“We are also in the developing and planning stage to open two-year paramedic courses intended for senior high school graduates and to those who are interested in paramedics even if they do not have a medical background,” Fernando announced.

Indeed, these new paramedic graduates are a welcome addition to the health care sector. With their hearts full of passion, minds equipped with knowledge and the expertise and skills set to respond to emergencies, these graduates are now ready to make a difference in the field of emergency medical services.

As a final question, Fernando and Secretary Benitez if there are any plans to produce a documentary or film about paramedics, and they said it was a bright idea that they will look into and need to further study, and are certainly not closing doors on it. For now, the focus of the school and TESDA is to provide the best education and practices to those wanting to become paramedics.