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DOH’s Yolanda efforts shift focus to public health to avert outbreak

Posted on November 19, 2013

MANILA, Nov. 19 (PNA) — The Department of Health (DOH) has shifted its focus to public health as post-Yolanda efforts enter the early recovery period to avert outbreak of diseases in the affected communities.

The DOH move even as it said there is still no reported outbreak of any disease in the typhoon devastated areas.

The DOH however said it will continue to send waves of medical teams to ensure that those who remained in affected communities will have access to emergency, basic and even comprehensive services, if these are what will be required as thousands of displaced residents continue to find safe shelter outside of Leyte and Samar.

The DOH explained that it started to focus more on public health as threats of epidemics loom in vulnerable communities that do not have access to safe water and which suffer from poor or inadequate sanitation or vector control.

“Although there are still no outbreaks recorded, we instructed the newly-deployed replacement teams to step up measles, tetanus, oral polio and rabies vaccinations in all evacuation centers,” Health Secretary Enrique Ona said.

Secretary Ona also announced plans for the rebuilding or rehabilitation of destroyed or damaged health facilities, as the phase of early recovery has already started.

He appealed to the private sector and non-governmental organizations to offer resources and personnel that will address serious gaps in infrastructure, equipment and manpower requirements.

In response to this appeal, the Makati Medical Center has pledged to partner with Remedios T. Romualdez Hospital in Tacloban for its rehabilitation needs.

“This adopt-a-hospital campaign, at least during the holidays, is one way our private sector partners can spread the Christmas spirit. We hope to see more hospital partnerships as rehabilitation of health facilities continues”, Secretary Ona said.

Meanwhile, the health chief Tuesday led the Philippine Medical Association in sending-off a 100-strong contingent of the “PMA Doctors on Boats,” a relief medical dental psychosocial mercy mission, in affected areas in Bantayan Island, Cebu. The team, which consists of doctors, nurses, dentists, mental health experts, and even priest, will be deployed from November 19-25.

“The government is extending maximum efforts to provide relief assistance,” Ona said, adding that such efforts are a result of local, national, and international cooperation.”

He also reiterated that the government has enough supplies and that the big challenge lies in bringing these supplies to affected municipalities. (PNA)

 

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