The Department of Health (DOH) assured on Monday, Oct. 28, that more medical teams have been sent to areas devastated by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine as it continues to monitor the healthcare needs of the affected communities.
In a televised interview, DOH Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo stated that teams of medical professionals were deployed to areas impacted by “Kristine” to attend to the needs of affected individuals, particularly those in evacuation centers.
Currently, Domingo noted that three regions—Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Bicol—are under “Code Blue” status.
Domingo explained that under DOH's Code Blue status, the operations center is monitoring 24/7 to ensure that data from the field reaches the “incident commander,” who manages the incident command system to monitor the situation on the ground.
"Code Blue" represents DOH’s second-highest alert level, prompting substantial resource mobilization, which includes deploying additional teams to reinforce regular daily operations and deliver assistance in affected areas or to patient care.
Domingo mentioned that 91 medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and other health workers, have been deployed to the areas affected by Kristine.
In a statement issued on Oct. 27, DOH announced that it has deployed additional medical teams to augment the health emergency response teams (HERTs) that have been assisting those in need of healthcare in the Bicol region following “Kristine,” under the orders of Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa.
DOH noted that an additional 39 doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals are arriving via airlift (C130) at the Naga City General Hospital (NCGH), while 52 more will join fellow health workers at the Bicol Region General Hospital and Geriatric Medical Center (BRGHGC) via land travel to Cabusao, Camarines Sur.
Ambulances with standard equipment, medicines, and supplies will join the convoy of passenger buses provided by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), according to DOH.
DOH explained that these additional staff members include members of the WHO-recognized Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Teams (PEMAT) from the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital in Pampanga, the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium in Manila, and the Eastern Visayas Medical Center in Tacloban City. Health staff will also come from the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital, Tondo Medical Center, and Valenzuela Medical Center.
"Disaster response systems for health are working and in place. DOH joins the conveyor belt of aid directed by President Marcos Jr. to Bicol and other areas where it is needed,” Herbosa said.
“We are serious when we say, 'bawat buhay mahalaga'—walang maiiwan ('every life is valuable'—no one will be left behind),” Herbosa, an international expert in trauma surgery and disaster medicine, added.