
Management Team for the Nurse-led Forward Treatment Unit Project
November 2024
Management Team
for the Nurse-led Forward Treatment Unit Project
Philippine Army Nursing Service
Office of the Army Chief Nurse, Philippine Army
Taguig City
Philippines
COL JELENNE J QUINTANA NC (MNSA)
COL ASSUMPTION R DY NC (GSC)
COL MAY E ARGAMOSA NC (GSC)
LTC JOHN JOTHAM G REPOLLO NC (GSC)
COL ASSUMPTION R DY NC (GSC)
COL MAY E ARGAMOSA NC (GSC)
LTC JOHN JOTHAM G REPOLLO NC (GSC)
Under the competent guidance of the Army Chief Nurse in 2017, the idea of the Forward Treatment Unit (FTU) emerged prominently. The team employed the Present to Future State framework with dimensions from DOTMPLF to evaluate the existing HSS configuration and to tackle the persistent challenges at the pre-hospital care level. The Project Management Team, consisting of three (3) health service components (Nurse Corps, Medical Corps, and Medical Aidman Corps), successfully advanced the project from its conceptual stage to the final approval at the DND level. Funding was secured from the generous mission partners of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Forward Treatment Unit project was ultimately completed, procured, and distributed to eight (8) Philippine Army Divisions in the first semester of 2024. This initiative established a pre-hospital capability to improve combat troops' survivability. The FTU comprises three essential subsystems: the Mobile Surgical Truck, Special Medical Emergency Evacuation Device (SMEED), and Brigade Treatment Facility (BTF). The FTU's capabilities encompass casualty triage, resuscitation, damage control surgery, post-surgical care, and emergency resupply logistics to treat injuries as close to the frontline as feasible. This innovation will undoubtedly address the documented statistic that 90% of casualty deaths occur before reaching medical facilities. Positioning the FTU at the battalion level guarantees that the soldiers receive optimal pre-hospital care, enhancing their resolve to fight for the nation. The FTUs are currently operational in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with eight units deployed across various divisions. The FTU exemplifies the innovation and responsiveness of the Army Healthcare System. The NC-led initiative signifies a remarkable advancement in bolstering the capabilities of the Philippine Army Health Service Support, delivering essential enhancements in both immediate and long-term care for soldiers and their families. This modernization seeks to fill the voids in emergency medical response on the battlefield, guaranteeing that soldiers obtain timely, life-saving treatment even in perilous situations. By integrating cutting-edge technologies, optimized medical procedures, and improved training for healthcare staff, the initiative not only boosts the survival rate for soldiers in critical circumstances but also extends assistance to their families, ensuring a comprehensive approach to military healthcare. This all-encompassing system guarantees continuity of care, spanning from immediate battlefield intervention to rehabilitation and mental health services, acknowledging the diverse needs of soldiers and their dependents. The additional support for families recognizes the psychological and emotional impact of military service, providing counseling and welfare services that enhance overall soldier readiness and family resilience. This dual emphasis on the care of both soldiers and their families signifies a strategic transition, highlighting the necessity of safeguarding the well-being of military personnel as an essential element of national defense capability.