DOH deployed medical teams to Bulacan and Pampanga

The Department of Health (DOH) today reported that it has on-going coordination efforts with the Local Government Units and has deployed eleven medical teams to evacuation centers in Bulacan and Pampanga.

The medical teams, from different hospitals in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, provided basic health services to those who were displaced by recent typhoons Pedring and Quiel.  An advanced team was deployed by DOH on October 1, 2011 to assess the affected populations. A total of 4,748 consultations were recorded. Evacuees are strongly advised to use safe water, and practice sanitation in the disposal of garbage and human waste and personal hygiene.

Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona visited some affected barangays in Bulacan with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. The President, together with his cabinet members and local officials, held a dialogue on the government’s efforts to rehabilitate the affected areas in   Central Luzon.

The DOH, through its regional office in Central Luzon, provided water disinfectants in areas without potable water supply, allocated Doxycycline prophylaxis for the prevention of leptospirosis, coordinated the immediate provision of measles vaccination, and recommended the administration of vitamin A to children below five years old in evacuation centers.

Likewise, the DOH also mobilized all its regional nurses for vaccination activities. They also conducted health education activities by providing information and education materials to displaced families.

“We wish to inform everyone that the government is on top of the situation and is doing its best to help all those affected by typhoons Pedring and Quiel,” Ona said.

As of October 6, the DOH provided assorted drugs, medicines and manpower to Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon amounting to P3.2 million. DOH-Ilocos region provided assorted drugs and medicines to the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte amounting to P350,605.04; DOH-Cagayan Valley provided assorted drugs and medicines to the provinces of Cagayan, Nueva Viscaya, Quirino, and Isabela amounting to P430,034.86; DOH-Central Luzon provided assorted drugs and medicines to Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, and Nueva Ecija amounting to P888,629.04

DOH-CALABARZON also provided assorted drug and medicines to Rizal province amounting to P60,000.00; DOH-Cordillera Administrative Region provided water containers to Tuba, Benguet amounting to P67,200.00, while DOH-Bicol Region and DOH-National Capital Region both provided assorted drugs and medicines amounting to P350,00.00, and P42,000.00, respectively. Cost of assistance reached to P 5,457,263.95.

Partners from UN Organizations and other international partners also provided logistical support to the affected areas through the Department of Health.

As of October 6, a total of 71 deaths and 55 injuries were recorded as an aftermath of the typhoons. Acute respiratory infection, skin diseases, high blood pressure, fever, loose watery stool were the top leading causes of consultation in all evacuation centers. So far, no outbreaks and deaths from communicable diseases have been reported.

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