ASEM director: Hospital maintains stable water supply

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rico Medical Services Administration (ASEM by its acronym in Spanish) Executive Director Dr. Regino Colón Alsina said Tuesday that the hospital complex at the Río Piedras Medical Center continues to operate normally, thanks to a stable supply of drinking water provided by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) through the Sergio Cuevas Filtration Plant.

As a direct support measure for its staff, ASEM made a PRASA tanker with 3,500 gallons of drinking water available for Medical Center employees who face difficulties accessing water in their homes, allowing them to take supplies to meet their basic needs and those of their families.

“ASEM’s commitment is twofold: first, to maintain the continuity of essential medical services for Puerto Rico; and second, to support our employees and those of the institutions within the complex in times of need,” Colón Alsina said. “Our staff is indispensable to sustaining the operation of the island’s main hospital, and we are extending a helping hand to those who have been affected.”

The official added that the institution has a reserve of 2.3 million gallons of water distributed among three institutional cisterns -- with capacities of 300,000, 800,000 and 1,200,000 gallons, respectively -- which guarantee the medical center’s operational continuity in the event of any interruption to the external supply. ASEM also maintains active contracts with water transport providers to replenish reserves quickly if necessary.