MANILA, (PNA) — The establishment of Aerodrome at the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) is said to be the cutting-edge in the field of medicine in the country, particularly in the Aerospace, Maritime and Travel Medicine.
“The Aerodrome will house all the equipment needed to evaluate and examine propective individuals interested in flight, airsports, mountaineering, scuba diving, maritime, as well as other travel interest.” according to LCP Pulmonologist Dr. Sergio Andres Jr.
During the Philippines’ very first “National Technology Forum on Aerospace Medicine and Biology” on October 4, Dr. Andres announced the proposed establishment of Aerodrome and acquisition of high-tech medical equipment such as g-force stimulator, human gyroscope laboratory, free fall/microgravity stimulator, jet and helicopter crash stimulator.
The Aerodrome facility will be first utilized to serve pilots, air and ground crew personnel both from the military and civil aviation industry. It will also be used by scientist for basic and applied research in space medicine and will be a portal for international collaborations.
During the technology forum on Friday, Dr. Thais Russomano, Latin America’s first space doctor, encouraged Filipinos scientist and doctors to contribute in the development of Aerospace Medicine.
Having specialists with extensive experience in respiratory management, LCP is acting as the lead agent in Aviation and Travel Medicine research.
Travel Medicine or Emporiatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention and management of health problems of international travelers while Aviation Medicine or Flight Medicine is a preventive or occupational medicine in which the patients/subjects are pilots, aircrews or person involvved in spacflight.
The proposal for the creation of center for Aviation, Maritime and Travel Medicine accounts to the growing market of travel industry. In line with this, there is yet to come a single facility in the country that will cater to this growing market.
“The LCP should deal first with the issue of informal settlers that have occupying the area where the supposed aerospace medicine unit is to be built.” Dr. Andres added.”
The signing of memorandum of agreement for Aviation, Maritime and Travel Medicine center was attended by Undersecretary of the Department of Health, Dr. Teodoro Herbosa.
Dr. Custer C. Deocaris, head of DOST Balik Scientist said that the establishment of Aerodrome at LCP by next year will kindle the interest of Filipinos in the field of space medicine.