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Rolly’s effects trouble health sector amid COVID-19 pandemic, Duque says
By JOVILAND RITA, GMA NewsThe effects of Typhoon Rolly are affecting the operation of the healthcare system amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
In a press briefing on Monday, Duque said some health workers are having a hard time going to hospitals due to the floodings and lahar flows.
“Dahil sa pinsala ng bagyo, unstable ang ating communication lines, power, and water supply, lalong-lalo na po sa Region V,” he said during a briefing led by presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
“Ang ating mga health personnel sa Region V ay nahihirapan rin maka-report on duty dahil sa dinanas na heavy flooding, flash floods, at lahar flow,” he added.
Aside from this, Duque also raised the concern on cold chain storage for vaccines and COVID-19 test specimens amid the interrupted power supply.
“May mga potential na cold chain management na problema para sa ating mga bakuna, ang COVID-19 test kits, at specimens kung magtatagal ang pagbalik ng kuryente,” he said.
Due to this, Duque called on the Department of Energy to prioritize restoring the supply of electricity in affected areas.
In a separate press conference, DOH director Gloria Balboa said they are expecting that many health facilities were damaged after Rolly’s onslaught especially in the Bicol Region.
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“We are expecting na marami pong na-damage sa Catanduanes and other parts of Bicol. Meron naman tayong health facility enhancement program ang DOH. I'm sure ang LGU meron din silang quick fix,” she said.
“Total repair of the facility would take some time so i-quick fix muna nila ‘ yung kaya muna. Especially if that's a hospital, a health facility, dapat mabalik kaagad para ma-continue ang service niya agad," she added.
Balboa said the vaccines positioned in rural health centers will be returned to DOH regional offices and hospitals, where power generators are available.
“What is being done is 'yung mga bakuna na nadala na sa rural health units because ongoing nga ang ating immunization for measles and polio, is ibinabalik po either sa regional office or in the hospitals,” she said.
“Doon meron siguradong generators sila,” she added.—AOL, GMA News