Code White Alert: DOH assures readiness of centers, hospitals to accept election-related patients
The Department of Health (DOH) assured the readiness of Centers for Health Development (CHDs) and its hospitals to receive patients whose injuries and other health concerns resulted from the conduct of the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Monday, Oct. 30.

In a statement, the Health Department said a memorandum has been issued to CHDs and DOH Hospitals in preparation for the BSKE 2023.
“The CHDs, together with partners, are to deploy Human Resources for Health (HRH) to the identified priority cluster precincts nationwide,” DOH said.
They were tasked to provide the services to the voters and other personnel including free, timely, and effective basic first-aid assistance, essential medicines, and access to emergency medical services.
The CHDs and DOH hospitals were also directed to “ensure that all hazards, risks, and dangers to health are addressed” related to BSKE 2023.
Moreover, they were also instructed to coordinate with DOH and hospitals of local government units (LGUs) for referral of patients if the need arises.
DOH hospitals were also tasked to “prepare their health facilities and resources to receive election-related patients.”
Code White Alert activated
Meanwhile, the DOH activated a Code White alert to proactively monitor 24/7 any untoward incident that may occur during the BSKE Election.
As per DOH, the Code White Alert signifies the readiness of hospital staff, including general and orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, internists, operating room nurses, ophthalmologists, and otorhinolaryngologists, to "respond to any emergency."
Also during Code White Alert, DOH noted that emergency service, nursing, and administrative personnel residing at the hospital dormitory are placed on an on-call status for immediate mobilization.
In addition, the DOH also deployed personnel to the Command Center of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to monitor the health stations and the HRH deployed during the BSKE.