In a significant boost to healthcare accessibility, the remote town of Maslog in Eastern Samar has been equipped with its first river ambulance. The Department of Health (DOH) handed over the vessel on January 8, 2025, aiming to expedite the transfer of patients from this isolated area to the nearest medical facility. The river ambulance, a critical addition to the town’s medical resources, is expected to significantly reduce the time taken to reach emergency care.
The DOH regional office emphasized the importance of this new equipment, stating that it will serve as a vital tool for swift hospital referrals and immediate medical attention for Maslog’s residents. The ambulance is outfitted with essential medical equipment including a stretcher, an automatic external defibrillator, a nebulizer, portable suction machines, an oxygen cylinder, and various other medical accessories.
Currently, reaching Maslog involves a challenging four-hour riverboat journey to Dolores town, followed by a two-hour drive to the Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital in Borongan City. The introduction of the river ambulance is set to streamline this process, making emergency medical services more accessible.
Alongside the river ambulance, the DOH also provided senior citizen kits, wheelchairs, canes, crutches, and other assistive devices to further support the community’s health needs. The turnover ceremony was attended by Vice Mayor Septemio Santiago, municipal health officer Mennie Cabacang, members of the municipal council, and staff from the rural health unit.
Maslog, classified as a 5th-class municipality, is the least populated town in the Visayas with a population of 5,463 as of 2020. The nearest highway is located in Jipapad, which has a population of 8,439. Efforts are underway to improve connectivity with ongoing road projects aimed at linking Maslog’s villages to national roads in Jipapad and Dolores.