SUCN produces, distributes face shields to frontliners
(L-R) Dr. Theresa A. Guino-o, SU College of Nursing (SUCN) dean, and Dr. Theorose June Q. Bustillo, SUCN faculty, make face shields at William Barry Thompson Hall.
Silliman University College of Nursing (SUCN), in cooperation with the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) Negros Oriental Chapter, produced and distributed almost a thousand (1,000) free face shields to frontliners in Negros Oriental.
The initiative aims to address the shortage of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare providers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Dr. Theresa A. Guino-o, SUCN dean, and Dr. Theorose June Q. Bustillo, SUCN faculty.
PNA Negros Oriental Chapter officers and members make face shields at William Barry Thompson Hall.
SUCN distributed face shields to all community, district, and city hospitals in Negros Oriental; rural health units; city and provincial health offices; and in the SU campus for its frontliners. SUCN also donated bottles of alcohol and other improvised PPEs.
“We…received a lot of requests [in the PNA Negros Oriental Facebook page] from the nurses and even some doctors in the province since the supplies, especially in government hospitals and rural health units, were running out fast. The initial move sparked enthusiasm among others. SUCN became the central point for the creation and delivery of face shields,” an SUCN’s statement said.
Volunteers from SUCN make face shields at William Barry Thompson Hall.
SUCN faculty members, staff, students, and supporters of the initiative helped produce and distribute the face shields. Negros Oriental State University also contributed face shields for distribution.
The improvised face shields were based on the design posted by the PNA on its Facebook page.
Guino-o and Bustillo, who are also PNA Negros Oriental officers, said their funds in PNA Negros Oriental were initially used for the purchase of materials.
“When we started posting on Facebook that we were making face shields for the frontliners, a lot of generous hearts gave their blessings. Later the donations were expanded to face masks, alcohol, improvised overalls, IEC materials, hand sanitizers, and bathing supplies for the health workers,” according to Guino-o and Bustillo.
Other groups like the SUCN Alumni Association, SUCN canteen, various SU alumni groups and individuals also contributed to the purchase of supplies.
The SUCN dean together with Bustillo said that “As nurses in the academe, we cannot afford to just sit down in our offices and homes watching our nurses in the frontlines fighting this unseen enemy. Social media makes us aware of the needs of healthcare workers in the province. As Faculty and Officers of the Philippine Nurses Association of Negros Oriental, we have the mandate to respond for the welfare of nurses and the health of society…We remain steadfast in our commitment to serve the people of Negros Oriental in various capacities within the healthcare sector during this challenging and uncertain time.”
SUCN has concluded its production and distribution of face shields since the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Negros Oriental last April 3, 2020.
The College acknowledged the following individuals for their involvement in the initiative: Asst Prof. Leila Joy Tayko-Cazon and her husband, for making face shields in their house and delivering them to SUCN for distribution; Dr. Robert Guino-o and son, Nathan Guino-o; Asst. Profs. Rowena Turtal, Rochie Cagara, Zillah Tobongbanua, Maria Theresa Belciña Jr.; SUCN students Girlie Rosales and Maribel Glazier; SUCN staff Lyn Grace Mamhot, Ivy Remolano, and Alona Banagudos, for the packing of supplies; and Drs. Rene and Nadia Abesamis, for helping in the distribution.
Face shields made by volunteers from Silliman University (SU) and Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) Negros Oriental Chapter were distributed to frontliners in Negros Oriental.
