DOH Bicol frets over possible outbreak of diseases in evacuation centers

By Ernie Delgado

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Health’s (DOH) Bicol Center for Health Development (CHD) has distributed medicines and supplies, including water purification tablets, water containers, hygiene kits, and breastfeeding kits for pregnant and lactating women, to prevent typhoon victims from getting sick.

“Tuwing emergencies, nako-compromise ang ating sanitation at hygiene services. Walang supply ng malinis na tubig. Ayaw natin ng double burden sa mga tao. Natamaan na sila ng bagyo, magkakasakit pa sila,” said Lea Angela Castillo from the DOH Bicol CH Infectious Disease Cluster during an online talk show.

(During emergencies, our sanitation and hygiene services can be compromised. There is no supply of clean water. We do not want to impose a double burden on the people. They have already been affected by the typhoon; we don’t want them to get sick as well.)

Rosa Maria Rempillo, director of the DOH Bicol CHD, indicated that those in evacuation centers are at risk of contracting food and water-borne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, amoebiasis, and typhoid fever.

The DOH Bicol CHD reported that it has spent over P6.5 million to help combat the spread of these diseases.

Thousands of families have been affected by the floods caused by Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-Wong) in the provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Albay.

Rempillo also reported that health workers from the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project Response Teams have been deployed to Catanduanes to provide health and nutrition services on the island.

During his visit to the island on November 13, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. instructed government agencies to ensure that the victims of the typhoon were receiving the necessary care.

Here is the breakdown of assistance provided by the DOH Bicol CHD: Catanduanes: P1,700,000 worth of medicine and health commodities; Camarines Sur: P3,024,750; and Camarines Norte: P1,676,500. (PIA Bicol)