DOH to send reinforcement team for health workers in Region II

The Department of Health will send a reinforcement team to Region II to help health workers respond to the needs of residents affected by the massive flooding due to the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses, an official said.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said health workers in Region II have already asked DOH for help as they are already weary following the successive typhoons that affected the region.

"Ang Region II, nagpa-SOS na. Kasi kumo-quota na tayo sa bagyo. Sunud-sunod ang bagyo. Napapagod na rin ang ating mga health workers kasi may mga nagre-reinforce," she said.

"So magpapadala kami bukas ng augmentation health team galing sa iba't ibang health teams ng ating mga region," she added.

Cabotaje said the DOH also asked the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization to help them in various health-related concerns, such as provision of medical consultations and psychosocial briefing, and checking water cleanliness and sanitation.

As many residents are still staying in evacuation centers, Cabotaje reminded them to still observe minimum health standards to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"Mahirap talaga 'yung distansiya kapag nagkumpol-kumpol. Hangga't maaari sana magkakahiwalay," she said.

"Kung hindi naman, ang gagawin na lang, 'yung mga pami-pamilya, sila-sila ang magkakalapit. Sa mga susunod na pamilya, sila ang [magkakasama]. Huwag masyado 'yung movement na tinatawag," she added.

Cabotaje said they have not yet received any report of COVID-19 infection in evacuation centers.

"Alam ko naman na busy pa ang ating mga health workers sa pag-rescue at pag-aayos ng ating mga evacuation centers. Pero mino-monitor natin 'yan sa pamamagitan ng ating mga local health workers at tinatawag nating regional epidemiology surveillance unit," she said.

"Araw-araw [sila] na nag-iikot sa mga health center para kumustahin kung ano na ang kalalagayan ng ating mga nasa evacuation center," she added.

Cabotaje likewise warned the public against leptospirosis, which could be contracted from exposure in floodwaters.

"Sa leptospirosis, marami tayong gamot, 'yung ating prophylaxis. Alam naman natin na kailangan talaga ang prevention, 'yung paghuhugas ng paa," she said.

"Sapat naman [ang gamot] at wala pang naire-report sa amin na may sintomas because it takes about three to five days before we have symptoms," she added. —KG, GMA News