Tacloban City is reduced to vast wasteland after the onslaught of super typhoon “Yolanda.” Video by INQUIRER.net’s Ryan Leagogo
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health has sent medical teams to Tacloban to take over hospital operations and allow the local staff, who are victims themselves of supertyphoon “Yolanda,” to rest and take care of their families.
“Our first goal is to make the hospitals function especially if they are not structurally damaged,” Health Undersecretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a briefing.
The teams were sent on Sunday and they have been instructed to take care of hospital operations at the Eastern Visayas Medical Center, Bethany Hospital, Tacloban City Hospital and Leyte Provincial Hospital.
A Facebook photo of Bethany Hospital in Tacloban City.
Medical teams from Singapore, Germany and Norway are also expected to arrive.
Around P15 million worth of medicines, medical supplies, hygiene kits, tents and other emergency supplies have been pre-positioned in DOH regional offices.
The DOH appealed for donations from the private sector.
“To tell you frankly we are depleted. If you noticed, we had Zamboanga, Bohol and now we have this. So if we get hit by another big one… Our stores are depleted. We’re still purchasing our goods. Our appeal is also for additional medicines and hospital supplies to be donated through DOH,” Herbosa said.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the DOH, as of Monday, was still waiting for reports from the ground.
“Restoration of communication lines should really be prioritized for us to get immediate feedback from the field. In the meantime, DOH is coordinating with Telecoms Without Borders to help in this aspect,” Ona said.
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