DOH EXTENDS ASSISTANCE TO TYPHOON SENDONG VICTIMS

Press Release/ Dec 20, 2011

 

President Benigno S. Aquino III and Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona today visited the victims of typhoon Sendong in Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Dumaguete; three cities that have been hardest hit by the typhoon which wrought massive floods and landslides to Northern Mindanao and the Visayas over the weekend.

 

Ona handed over P2 million pesos to the Center for Health Development (CHD) 10, the DOH Regional Office in Northern Mindanao, which was heavily devastated by typhoon Sendong. This will be used to procure additional medicines, and medical supplies, among others which are vastly needed in the Region. The health chief also turned over several boxes of assorted medicines, various supplies, tents, and 648 cadaver bags, all amounting to P1.4 million to assist continuous relief efforts.

 

“My deepest sympathies go out to the victims of typhoon Sendong, their families and friends. We have not stopped with our relief efforts since day one, and we will continuously provide assistance, especially medical services to those devastated by Sendong,” the Secretary said, stressing that at present it is important to monitor evacuation centers to ensure that evacuees are not exposed to additional health threats posed by overcrowding, and poor hygiene and sanitation.

 

Even at the height of the tragedy, the Department of Health (DOH), through its regional offices, has been coordinating with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRMMC), Philippine Red Cross, PAGASA, and other agencies to provide initial assistance to local government units in their rescue and relief operations.

 

Health teams have been deployed to assess evacuation centers, gather information on the victims, validate reports, and provide assistance. Responders have also been deployed to assist in search and rescue operations in heavily affected areas.

 

DOH Centers for Health Development (CHDs) have prepositioned medicines and supplies in some of the affected areas. There have been prepositioned drugs and medicines worth P50,000 in six (6) provinces in Northern Mindanao, and CHD-Northern Mindanao provided additional drugs and medicines amounting to P500,000 to augment supplies. CHD-CARAGA has so far given out drugs and medicines worth P400,000. CHD-Central Visayas has likewise provided P30,000 worth of medicines, sodium hypchlorite and IV fluids to Negros Oriental.

 

CHD-Northern Mindanao gave out jerry cans, 50 cadaver bags, and waterine solution to 12 evacuation centers in the region. Nine (9) cadaver bags and 72 boxes of hyposol waterine were given by CHD-CARAGA for the victims in Northern Mindanao.

 

DOH Hospitals also took part in the relief efforts. Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) mobilized a team to an evacuation center in Iligan City and donated P100,000 worth of drugs, medicines, and supplies. Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) mobilized ambulance for transferring victims rescued by the Coast Guard to the NMMC, and also provided assorted medicines and supplies worth P500,000. Likewise, the Mayor Hilarion Ramiro Regional Training and Teaching Hospital supplied the Iligan City Health Office with assorted drugs and medicines worth P100,000.

 

The Health Secretary noted the damage to rural health units and health offices estimated at P24.3 million. Secretary Ona committed DOH assistance for the rehabilitation of these damaged health facilities in Northern Mindanao.

 

“The DOH and other agencies of the national government are on all fours in attending to this emergency. We are maximizing coordination channels among different agencies to quickly respond to the immediate needs of victims and their families” the health chief said.

 

Ona further added that all the assistance and support coming from the private sector have been significantly important in the relief efforts “We are thankful for the outpouring support coming from the individuals, groups, and the business sector. I encourage everyone who can to help out, to give hope and to share some love. This would be a more meaningful way of celebrating this season.”