The Department of Health (DOH) in Eastern Visayas on Wednesday deployed additional nurses to the National Capital Region (NCR) to help amid the rising number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients.

The team composed of 11 nurses, will be on duty at the Philippine Heart Center until June 21 this year.

This is the second batch of healthcare workers deployed by the region to NCR.

Of the 11 nurses, six are from Biliran province, three from Leyte, and one each from Southern Leyte and Eastern Samar.

“We are ready to help the NCR because, after Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, people from different parts of the country came to help us. We are giving back by sending our volunteers. As Filipinos, we need to help each other, especially during this time of crisis,” DOH Regional Director Exuperia Sabalberino said during the send-off ceremony at the Tacloban Airport.

The official thanked the nurses for responding to the call and vowed to support them.

The Office of Civil Defense provided 110 complete sets of personal protective equipment while the Department of Tourism distributed travel kits.

On April 7, the DOH regional office sent the first team composed of 15 nurses and a doctor.

They are now assigned at the Lung Center of the Philippines for a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of two months. (PNA)