During his visit, accompanied by secretary of Health Dr. Enrique Ona, Dr. Osotimehin handed over the first of two “hospitals in containers” to be provided by UNFPA in the region to local authorities in Palo, Leyte.

These temporary facilities, introduced for the first time in the Philippines, are specifically designed to provide emergency obstetric care, including caesarian sections.

“By providing these temporary units, we support the Government as they begin the process of rebuilding its health infrastructure,” explained Dr. Osotimehin. The second unit will be placed in Balangiga, Eastern Samar, where the main hospital was completely destroyed during the typhoon and is still awaiting to be reconstructed.

Photo: UNFPA Philippines