Government doing its best to ensure flood victims’ health, says Ona

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Health said on Friday the government was doing all it could to ensure the health of flood victims in Bulacan and Pampanga.

“The government is on top of the situation and is doing its best to help all those affected,” said Health Secretary Enrique Ona.

He said coordination with local government units continued and that 11 medical teams have been dispatched to evacuation centers, particularly in areas badly hit by floods spawned by typhoons Pedring and Quiel in Bulacan and Pampanga.

Earlier, the DOH sent a medical unit to assess the status of evacuees’ health, Ona explained.

Water disinfectant was also distributed to areas without potable water. Vitamin A and medicines to prevent Leptospirosis and Measles were also distributed.

The DOH has recorded a total of 71 deaths and 55 injuries in the wake of typhoons Pedring and Quiel. Acute respiratory infection, skin diseases, high blood pressure, fever, and diarrhea were the most common diseases evacuees contracted.

But no outbreaks and deaths due to communicable diseases have been reported, the health department said.