DOH hospitals ready for 'Big One' earthquake response

The Department of Health (DOH) is preparing its hospitals in Metro Manila for a major earthquake, dubbed the "Big One."

The DOH has designated specific hospitals in four areas of the National Capital Region (NCR) to lead emergency response efforts.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa stated that DOH hospitals are ready to activate their surge capacity, which provides an additional 10 percent of bed capacity, to handle an increased number of patients.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned that a magnitude 7.2 earthquake on the West Valley Fault could result in over 33,000 deaths and the collapse of 168,000 buildings.

The DOH estimates that a major earthquake could cause over 52,000 deaths, 679,000 injuries, and displace over 5.3 million Filipinos in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.

Herbosa emphasized the importance of DOH hospitals being resilient and fully operational during disasters, stating, "We have to be the last facility standing."