Repair of health facilities damaged by ‘Yolanda’ to cost P1.4 B

AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Some P1.4 billion will be needed to repair the health facilities damaged by Supertyphoon “Yolanda: (Haiyan), the Department of Health  said in a statement.

The DOH said a portion of the amount will also be used to prevent the spread of diseases, including maintenance medications for hypertension, heart diseases and diabetes.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona disclosed that 432 health facilities were damaged in Mimaropa (Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas.

Most of the facilities damaged were barangay health stations (296), rural health units (97), hospitals (38) and the DOH Eastern Visayas regional office.

Ona said total damage to these facilities was estimated at P1.17 billion.

As of November 27, the number of consultations in all affected regions has reached 70,056, with 2,794 people admitted to different health facilities.

The top five consultations were trauma/typhoon-related injuries, respiratory tract infection, acute gastroenteritis, hypertension and diabetes, and skin diseases.

The DOH said about 835 patients from Tacloban were referred either in Cebu or Manila.

To address the public health needs of children, the DOH together with the World Health Organization has started its expanded program on immunization against polio and measles, vitamin A and micronutrient supplementation, oral rehydration salts and zinc syrup.

For pregnant mothers, about 4,000 emergency delivery kits and iron supplementation for pregnant and postpartum women will be needed, the DOH said.

It added that about P29 million will also be needed to vaccinate senior citizens against influenza and pneumococcal disease, while another P6.48 million will be for essential medicines and supplies for primary care.