Hyundai Starex Cargo ambulance units turned over to DOH Mimaropa

MANILA: Hyundai Biñan under Hyundai Laguna, Inc. provided 18 Hyundai Starex Cargo ambulance units that are fully equipped with medical equipment to the Department of Health (DOH) Region IV-B (Mimaropa).

The units were part of the first batch of the 47 bound for the said region and are among the nearly 150 custom-built Hyundai Starex ambulances that have passed the requirements of the DOH and its associated agencies.

These units will also be deployed to various parts of the country to guarantee that essential services for non-communicable diseases are administered effectively during the nationwide campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The turnover ceremony was done at the DOH Compound in Project 4, Quezon City last October 17. Hyundai Laguna Inc. General Manager Don Tejero and DOH Center for Health Development in Mimaropa OIC Regional Director Dr. Mario Baquilod presided over the formal turnover.

Dr. Baquilod said that ambulances are essential in efficiently offering health services to the far-flung areas of the region.

He said, “Malaking bagay (ang mga ambulance na ito) sa pag-transport ng ating mga pasyente who require a high level of care… at our district hospitals or provincial hospitals. Habang tina-transport, continuous ang pagbigay ng medical services sa kanila (These ambulances are of great help when it comes to ferrying patients who require a high level of care... at our district hospitals or provincial hospitals. While they are being transported, medical services are continuously being provided to them).”

More units are expected to be turned over to the DOH regional offices in NCR, Cagayan Valley, and Davao toward the end of 2020.

The Hyundai Starex has become one of the most preferred vehicles for Filipino families not only because of its undeniable stability, durability, power, comfort, and space, but also due to its ability to become a flexible cargo and people mover.

During the peak of the pandemic, the Biyahe ng Bayani COVID response program of the Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) Foundation, Inc. (HFI) handed over H350 and Grand Starex units to provide free shuttle rides to numerous health care workers in Northern and Southern Luzon as well as Metro Manila.

As part of the Hyundai Ligtas Biyahe program, HARI deployed its first COVID-ready modern jeepneys to boost the ongoing Libreng Sakay program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for health care workers.

HARI President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said, “We are happy to see our vehicles repurposed to serve the Filipino's multiple needs, particularly in the area of health services in far-flung government hospitals. t is quite fitting that the most beloved family van of Filipinos has evolved to save more lives and serve more families on a daily basis.”

Agudo also emphasized that HARI and its nationwide dealership network will constantly keep track of the health situation of the whole country to explore more strategies in providing assistance to the public, in flattening the curve, and in the recovery of the economy.

Photos from Hyundai

Also read: Hyundai PH now has trio of DOTr-approved modern jeepney models