DOH augments medical support at Mayon evacuation camps

By Keren Anne Bernadas

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Health – Bicol Center for Health Development (DOH Bicol CHD) has increased medical support for rural health units assisting people displaced by the escalating unrest from Mayon Volcano.

This support includes 29,682 boxes of ash masks, 2,500 water containers, 1,000 chlorine tablets, a 4,000-liter water tanker, medications for cough, fever, and colds, maintenance medications, and hygiene kits, all of which were delivered on Friday.

Dr. Aurora Teresa Daluro, head of the Public Health Preparedness and Response Unit at DOH Bicol CHD, said during the Ugnayan sa Bicol forum on Tuesday that the national government and the Albay Provincial Health Office have agreed to establish a joint command post.

This will ensure faster and more efficient coordination of health-related concerns, Daluro said.

“In addition to medicines and supplies, DOH Bicol CHD is also monitoring the water quality in evacuation camps. We distribute water bacteriological sampling bottles for use by water inspectors, and the collected samples are examined at the Bicol South Luzon Sub-National Reference Laboratory,” she said.

Daluro said that as part of these augmentation efforts, doctors, pharmacists, dentists, nurses, midwives, and nutritionists have been deployed to medical stations in the evacuation camps.

“Pag-uusapan na lang ng mga local government units ang kanilang mga schedules dahil kailangang may healthcare workers sa evacuation sites sa lahat ng oras, kabilang ang mga barangay health workers,” she added.

(Local government units will discuss their schedules to ensure that healthcare workers are available at the evacuation sites at all times, including barangay health workers.)

Daluro also advised the public to wear face masks during ashfall events to prevent inhalation of volcanic ash.

“They can be worn for up to a week, as long as breathing through the mask remains comfortable,” she said.

In cases where masks are not available, she recommended using a damp cloth or wet towel to cover the mouth and nose to reduce inhalation of ash.

Daluro also suggested that wearing goggles may help prevent eye irritation. (PIA Bicol)