Medical group sends team to Bantayan

Images coming out of devastated areas, isolated on Friday by the breakdown of communication facilities, show the extent of the devastation caused by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” Visayans, including these girls in Daanbantayan town in northern Cebu province, are still in a daze in the aftermath of the supertyphoon. TONEE DESPOJO/CEBU DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Medical Association said Tuesday it sent a 100-man team to distribute relief supplies in Bantayan Island in Cebu as efforts from various sectors continued for the victims of monster typhoon “Yolanda” (international codename: Haiyan) that hit the Visayas region earlier this November.

In an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990AM, PMA President Dr. Leo Olarte said the team was composed of volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, and other support personnel. They left around 10 a.m.

“We said that Bantayan Island was a good place because not too many people have gone there,” Olarte said in Filipino.

Olarte said they have yet to decide where they would deliver relief goods next.

Asked what could be done to prevent the spread of diseases in evacuation sites, Olarte said the top factor was cleanliness.

“In evacuation centers, the most important to prevent the spread of diseases is cleanliness . . . of the environment,” he said.

Among others, Olarte said people should refrain from littering.

Drinking water should also be boiled, he added.

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