The Department of Health (DOH) said its regional offices have maintained sufficient supplies of medicines and potable water for residents in Cebu and Leyte affected by Typhoon “Tino,” with medical teams deployed in evacuation centers.

In its latest advisory, the agency said DOH-Central Visayas’ field teams remain on alert to assist families displaced by the typhoon. 

According to the DOH, residents exposed to floodwaters were provided doxycycline as prophylaxis against leptospirosis after health workers conducted medical evaluations in the affected areas.

“Tiniyak ng DOH Central Visayas na sapat ang supply ng mga gamot at malinis na inuming tubig para sa mga residente sa Cebu na apektado ng Bagyong Tino (The DOH Central Visayas has ensured that there is enough medicine and clean drinking water for residents in Cebu affected by Typhoon Tino),” it said.

Aside from anti-leptospirosis drugs, the DOH said its regional office has standby supplies of medicines for fever, cough, and colds, along with hygiene kits, water containers, and bottled water that have been distributed since Monday, Nov. 3, to address the surge in demand.

“Nananatiling nakaalerto ang DOH emergency response teams sa Cebu upang magbigay ng serbisyong medikal sa mga evacuation centers (DOH emergency response teams in Cebu remain on alert to provide medical services in evacuation centers),” the agency added.

Meanwhile, the health department said DOH-Eastern Visayas immediately mobilized its personnel to Leyte to conduct medical assessments and health monitoring of evacuees affected by Typhoon “Tino.”

“Agad na tumugon ang DOH Eastern Visayas sa mga naapektuhan ng Bagyong Tino sa Leyte upang magsagawa ng medical assessment at health monitoring (The DOH Eastern Visayas promptly responded to those affected by Typhoon Tino in Leyte to conduct medical assessments and health monitoring),” the agency said in a separate advisory.

The health department added that its regional response included the distribution of medicines and hygiene kits, profiling of evacuees to ensure proper assistance, and disease surveillance to prevent possible outbreaks.