DOH sends medical teams to evacuation sites

The Municipality of Cainta temporarily shelters evacuees in West Bank, Floodway. According to former Cainta Mayor Keith Nieto, over 142 families have taken refuge in the evacuation center. | PHOTO: Nieto/Facebook

The Department of Health (DOH) dispatched on Friday medical teams to evacuation centers to ensure proper basic medical services.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said he ordered regional DOH offices to ensure the presence of the medical teams and coordinate with local disaster offices about areas that need health personnel.

READ: Marcos wants medical teams at all evacuation centers

“I have also instructed the emergency purchase of medicines for chronic conditions of evacuees, such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as for the other health conditions of people in evacuation. We will continue to provide health services to the people as directed by President Marcos,” Herbosa said in a statement.

1 million capsules

The DOH said the Food and Drug Administration has expedited the clearance of around 1 million capsules of doxycycline.

It added that it has started delivery of the drug, which is prescribed both as prophylaxis and treatment for leptospirosis, to all regions nationwide.

During an emergency command conference on Thursday with DOH officials, Herbosa instructed all government health teams quickly refer emergency or critical cases to larger medical centers, especially DOH hospitals that under code blue or white alerts.

The secretary also visited on the same day East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City; Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center and H. Bautista Elementary School in Marikina City, and San Mateo Elementary School in San Mateo, Rizal. The two schools were being used as evacuation centers with around 4,000 displaced individuals each.