MANILA — Health Secretary Francisco Duque checked on Monday the situation of evacuees at the Malanday Elementary School in Marikina City.
In a press briefing, Duque said the department wanted to ensure that victims of flooding brought about by non-stop rains are safe from preventable diseases, such as leptospirosis.
Duque reminded the public against wading in floodwaters to avoid the deadly disease, advising the public to wear protection, such as rubber boots if braving the floods cannot be avoided.
“Be alert for signs and symptoms of the disease — headaches, muscle pains and fever — and immediately go to the nearest health facility for proper treatment, care and prophylaxis,” he said.
Due to the sudden rise in the number of evacuees in Marikina City, the Department of Health (DOH) provided 5,000 Doxycycline capsules for residents who may be at risk of contracting leptospirosis.
Duque said his department has distributed 20,000 Doxycycline capsules and prepared other supplies, like hygiene kits, for evacuees in Bataan, Ilocos and Pangasinan.
Some PHP1,358,924.20 amount of logistics were extended to DOH National Capital Region – San Juan, Marikina and Rizal province.
The regional offices have prepositioned logistics amounting to PHP15,073,085.98, including medicines and medical supplies, while PHP59,073,085.98 has been made available at the DOH central office for its hospitals and regional offices.
Meanwhile, Duque lauded the Marikina City government for the use of modular tents in their evacuation centers to provide families some privacy.
“Magandang halimbawa ito na dapat sundin at tularan ng ibang LGUs (local government units). Ito, may harang harang, kahit na papaano at kelangan screening para nang sa ganun eh hindi naman magkahawaan (This is a good example which other LGUs must adopt. They have divisions that would somehow serve as screens to prevent the spread of diseases among evacuees),” he said.
Duque said it is the responsibility of the city health center and the DOH to ensure that sick evacuees are isolated to prevent the transmission of diseases.
“Mag-iikot po buong araw hanggang bukas ang DOH team para ma-monitor ang lahat ng evacuation centers natin (The DOH team will do its rounds the whole day until tomorrow to monitor all our evacuation centers),” he said.
To date, 190 families or 842 individuals are staying in evacuation centers in various parts of Metro Manila.
A total of 77,599 families or 339,282 individuals in the Ilocos region were reported to be staying with relatives and friends to escape the flooding. (Ma. Teresa Montemayor/PNA)
