With Tropical Storm Ramil expected to hit parts of the country, the Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday, October 18, declared a Code White Alert, activating its health emergency units and ensuring that essential medicines and equipment are ready for deployment.
Under the alert status, the agency said its Operations Center is conducting continuous monitoring, while hospitals and regional health offices have been directed to prepare medicines, medical equipment, and personnel for rapid deployment.
The health department said it has pre-positioned over P11.2 million worth of medicines and health commodities in the Bicol Region, where the storm is forecast to make landfall.
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“Nakahanda na ang mga gamot, medical equipment, at Health Emergency Response Teams para tumugon sa mga maaapektuhang rehiyon (Medicines, medical equipment, and Health Emergency Response Teams are now ready to respond to affected regions),” the DOH said.
According to the agency, the pre-deployed items include first-aid kits, tents, breastfeeding kits, and potable water containers to be distributed to evacuation centers.
Emergency teams are also on standby to deliver immediate assistance to displaced families, it added.
As such, the DOH saidnit coordinating with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Bicol and local health offices.
The DOH noted that Bicol was heavily affected by Typhoon Opong, prompting it to strengthen its coordination and readiness measures this time.
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