The Department of Health (DOH) said it has prepositioned more than ₱31 million worth of medicines and essential supplies in regions affected by severe tropical storm Paeng.

“In preparation for Paeng, a total of ₱31,063,736.14 worth of drugs and medicines, medical supplies, and other commodities were already prepositioned in different regions,” the DOH said in a statement on Sunday, Oct. 30.

These regions are Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Caraga, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and National Capital Region.

“Bago pa po mag-landfall ang bagyo ay naghanda na ang DOH dahil alam po natin na marami ang maaapektuhan ng bagyong Paeng (Before the typhoon made its landfall, the DOH has already prepared because we know that many people will be affected by typhoon Paeng),” said DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire.

“Kaya po milyun-milyong halaga ng resources and other commodities ang atin nang na-preposition sa iba’t ibang CHDs upang mapadali at agad na ma-deploy ang mga ito kung kinakailangan (That's why, millions worth of resources and other commodities have been prepositioned in various CHDs to facilitate and immediately deploy them if needed),” she added.

The DOH, meanwhile, said that "a total of ₱72,803,656.64 worth of commodities are ready for mobilization in the DOH Central Office Warehouse.”

Human resources for health were also deployed to 633 evacuation centers across the country, the DOH said.

“Rapid health assessments have also been conducted to assess the condition of affected populations. Likewise, DOH Regional Hospitals have been placed on high alert to prepare for immediate deployment or augmentation, as well as to anticipate possible increases in hospital admissions,” it said.

“All health facilities, including cold chain facilities and equipment, have been placed under close monitoring to ensure continued operations. All Health Emergency Management Teams and Health Emergency Personnel in affected areas have also been deployed to actively monitor, report, and respond to incidents in their respective areas of responsibility,” it added.

The DOH is also on “heightened surveillance” against possible outbreaks of waterborne and foodborne illnesses, influenza-like illnesses, as well as leptospirosis and dengue diseases “which may occur following the effects of Paeng.”

The DOH said it “has activated the Inter-Agency Committee on Environmental Health.”

“ is set to convene on Nov. 4, 2022 to discuss ways to address recent Acute Gastroenteritis/Diarrhea Cases and Cholera Outbreaks that may be caused by the onslaught of recent typhoons and floods,” it said.

“We will ensure that health services are unhampered, and that our healthcare facilities are always ready to provide healthcare services to patients seeking care,” said Vergeire.