16 DOH hospitals in Metro Manila on ‘code white alert’ for Traslacion 2020

MANILA, Philippines — All sixteen Metro Manila hospitals under the supervision of the Department of Health (DOH) have been placed under code white alert in preparation of the annual “traslacion” of the Black Nazarene set for Thursday.

The code white alert, according to the DOH, is declared “among hospitals during national events, holidays, or celebrations that may cause mass casualties or emergencies.”

During code white alert, emergency medicines and supplies, especially for trauma needs, are made readily available, the DOH said.

“Medical specialists are placed on stand-by for the immediate treatment of incoming patients, while emergency service personnel, nursing, and administrative personnel are placed on on-call status for immediate mobilization,” the DOH said in a statement.

Fourteen health emergency response teams, tasked to provide emergency medical services to the thousands of devotees expected to attend, will also be deployed in the 14 prayer stations designated in parts of Manila.

“Know where the emergency medical stations are located for easy access in case of any medical emergency,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III advised devotees.

Duque also said devotees should wear comfortable clothes and protective footwear, as well as to bring hats and fans to “combat the heat.”

“Also bring raincoats/ponchos in case it rains, and enough clean drinking water to avoid dehydration,” he said.

“Make sure to bring bite-size, non-perishable food such as candies or chocolates for quick hunger relief, and avoid wearing pieces of jewelry and bringing expensive gadgets and other valuables,” he added.

This year’s “traslacion” will cover the stretch of 6.16 kilometers. The procession will start at 5:30 a.m. at the Quirino Grandstand and will pass through several roads in Manila before making its way back to the Quiapo church.