Gov’t hospitals in 5 regions put on alert

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday ordered government hospitals in five regions to keep at least half of their staff on duty during the passage of Typhoon “Ruby” (international name: Hagupit).

The “code blue” alert went out to DOH-retained hospitals in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan provinces), Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas.

A code blue alert means 50 percent of all personnel should report for duty in the hospital to render medical and other services during an emergency.

The move was part of the comprehensive disaster preparedness measures to deal with and to lessen the anticipated impact of Ruby on local communities, the DOH said.

“Drugs, medicines and other supplies worth P243 million have also been prepositioned in these regions,” the DOH said.

24-hour alert

The DOH said the measures were being undertaken to help ensure that the zero-casualty target is met.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has also gone on red alert in anticipation of Ruby.

PRC chair Richard Gordon ordered Red Cross chapters and Red Cross 143 volunteers in the path of Ruby to be alert 24 hours.

Gordon ordered PRC rescue equipment, rubber boats, generator sets, fuel and vehicles to be on standby for possible operation or deployment.

He urged residents in the affected areas to prepare to be evacuated in order to prevent injury or death and not to endanger the lives of rescuers.

According to PRC secretary general Gwendolyn Pang, additional emergency supplies are being provided to PRC chapters.

She said PRC staff and volunteers were also starting to pack relief stocks such as food, beddings and hygiene kits for distribution in communities that may be affected by the typhoon.

“The PRC is coordinating for the prepositioning of food items (rice, canned goods, sugar, salt, cooking oil) for 15,000 families and will be handed over to the PRC chapters that would need urgent support for response operation. Nonfood items such as laundry soap, bath soap, jerry cans, kitchen sets and tarpaulins will also be sent,” Pang said.

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