DOH places gov’t hospitals on full alert
The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday announced that it is placing its regional offices and hospitals across the country under full alert starting Sunday in preparation for emergencies that may arise during the balloting next Monday.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona advised voters to avoid staying too long under the sun and to bring drinking water with them to avoid heat stroke when they go to polling places on Election Day.
“The summer heat is still intense and the public would do well to take these precautionary measures while exercising their right to vote,” Ona said.
He said that under the “code white” alert, regional health offices and hospitals would constantly monitor events during the balloting so they could quickly respond to any emergencies.
“In anticipation of any eventualities that may occur during the elections, the code white alert has been raised in all DOH regional offices and hospitals effective May 12, Sunday,” Ona said.
He said that under code white, regional directors are expected to be extra vigilant and to send flash reports of incidents to the DOH-Health Emergency Management Staff’s operation center.
The center will monitor health emergencies nationwide and coordinate with other key agencies responding to crises, Ona said, adding that the center will also be ready to provide material and logistical support to the regional health offices and hospitals that may need them.
The DOH goes on code white alert during national events that have a potential for mass casualties.
Under code white, hospitals are fully stocked on emergency medicines and supplies.
