DOH refreshing doctors on poison management amid Bataan oil spill

The Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday it has been reminding doctors on the protocols for poison management for patients who may pose health concerns after exposure to the leakages coming from three different vessels in Bataan.

DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said that since last week, when the first vessel, the MTRK Terranova, sank off Limay, Bataan, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa had already directed to start refreshing the health protocols on poison management.

“Hindi lahat ng doctor, parang instant ‘yung knowledge pagdating sa poison management. Pero ngayon, nagre-refresher na,” Domingo said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview

(Not all doctors have instant knowledge when it comes to poison management. But now, they are being refreshed.)

“Sa mga nakikinig na doktor, kapag meron kayong nakuhang pasyente, huwag hong mag-atubili, pwede kayong tumawag at ang kakausap sa inyo ay isang toxicologist—espesyalista sa lason para masasabi ano ‘yung kailangan ibigay,” he added.

(To doctors, when you have a suspected poison patient, don't hesitate to call and the one who will talk to you is a toxicologist—a poison specialist who will tell you what needs to be done and given to the patient.)

Domingo urged people who have health concerns after exposure to the oil spill to immediately call DOH’s hotline at 1555.

Meanwhile, complicated cases and health professionals who need referral to specialists may contact the following:

East Avenue Medical Center Poison Control

Mobile: 0923-2711183

Landline: (02) 8928 0611 loc 707

PGH National Poison Management and Control Center

Mobile: 0966-7189904

Landline: (02) 8524 1078

The DOH earlier warned the public against the health impacts of oil spill to humans, may it be through inhalation, physical contact, or ingestion.

Aside from the MT Terranova, two other vessels—-MTKR Jason Bradley and MV Mirola—were also found to have leaks in the waters off Mariveles, Bataan. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News