DOH provides medical aid, supplies to Bicol evacuees hit by Kristine

On Thursday, the Department of Health (DOH) provided medical interventions in evacuation centers affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine in the Bicol region.

Health Emergency Response Teams from different regions distributed hygiene kits and medicines to evacuees and conducted medical consultations following initial assessments.

The DOH also ensured an adequate supply of disinfectants, chlorine granules, and aquatabs for clean water and sanitation access at evacuation centers.

Local Emergency Operations Centers with Patient Navigation Referral units are operating 24/7 to monitor and provide assistance in other regions as needed.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced that three DOH Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Teams (PEMAT) are ready to respond if additional emergency teams are required, with one team set for deployment to Bicol and another to Northern and Central Luzon based on past experience in Turkey following an earthquake.

The DOH has sent out PHP133 million worth of medical supplies and hygiene kits to areas hit hardest by the storm, while allocating PHP6.8 million for nutrition and PHP1.8 million for psychosocial support.

Medical teams have found that respiratory infections are the highest reported illness in affected regions.