CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — Anticipating the uptick of influenza-like illnesses and waterborne diseases, the Department of Health (DOH) is mobilizing its public hospitals and other health facilities as typhoon Saudel is expected to enter the Philippines.
John Gumabao of DOH Center for Health and Development in CALABARZON, during the pre-disaster risk assessment meeting of the CALABARZON Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) last August 24, noted that all the public hospitals and health facilities are still in code white. As part of its protocol, hospital staff, medical teams, and operations centers are placed on 24/7 standby to ensure rapid response.
Since August 8, all hospitals and government health facilities in the region were placed under white alert following widespread typhoons and flooding. It has also activated a leptospirosis case tracker to determine logistics support especially in flood-prone communities.
As of reporting time, the DOH CALABARZON said they are still finalizing the number of leptospirosis cases that have been reported during the onslaught of tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng.
The DOH has also launched a massive information, education, and communication campaign especially in preventing leptospirosis.
To recall, the enhanced effects of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng brought heavy rainfall in most parts of the CALABARZON region. The continuous rains brought flooding in 171 barangays, 141 of which have noted that floods have already subsided, according to authorities. (PB-PIA CALABARZON)