DoH closely monitoring health of Taal evacuees
The Department of Health is closely monitoring the health of families affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano that are staying in evacuation centers.
Health Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo said that around P1.5-million in logistics have been mobilized in areas affected by the eruption.
“The Department of Health is distributing supplies like masks, respiratory medicines for asthma, water containers, and purifiers for the affected areas and we are also mobilizing our health workers,” Domingo said.
Domingo said that all government hospitals in Region 4-A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon area) have been placed under the Code Blue alert which means that 50 percent of all hospital personnel must report for duty to render medical services.
The Health official noted that hospitals in Calabarzon are not yet overwhelmed with patients.
“Sa ngayon hindi naman sila overwhelmed. I mean, hindi naman nag-increase pa ‘yung number of cases natin ng respiratory illness,” said Domingo.
“What we are most concern now is really bringing the health workers to the evacuation centers, congestion, water supply, and hygiene. We don’t want any disease outbreaks happening in the evacuation centers,” he added.
Domingo also said that no casualties have been reported at this time.
Meanwhile, DoH-Calabarzon director Dr. Eduardo Janairo said that all health facilities in Calabarzon are ready to respond to any emergency situations following the eruption.
“All health facilities are ready to provide preventive measures on the possible effects caused by the volcanic eruption that may include traumatic injuries, burns, suffocation, skin diseases, eye injuries, respiratory problems, conjunctivitis, and even death,” said Janairo.
“Health emergency personnel, provincial health team leaders, including mental health teams, are being deployed to specific areas to provide immediate medical and health services,” he added.
People living in areas affected by the eruption have been advised to use the N95 mask for protection.
“What we really recommend is the use of the N95 mask because it is the most efficient in avoiding inhalation of volcanic ash. In less affected areas, people can use surgical mask or multiple layers of cloth,” said Domingo.