THE Department of Health (DOH) – CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo reported yesterday that doxycycline capsules and prophylaxis to prevent leptospirosis and support medicines were already distributed in different evacuation centers in Rodriquez, San Mateo and Cainta on November 14-15, 2020.
“We have also distributed hygiene kits and multivitamins aside from the emergency kits. The regional office is ready to respond and provide assistance with pre-positioned supply of medicines allotted to each province in case of a sudden rise of disease incidence in the localities,” he stated.
“Binabantayan namin ang mga critical areas na ito upang makapagbigay agad ng kinakailangang medical response sakaling may mga emergency o magkaroon ng epidemya. We have to ensure that health needs of the people, especially in times of calamities are properly and adequately addressed.”
“Sa ngayon, katulong namin ang local government ng mga bayan sa Rizal na nasalanta ng baha upang makahanap ng iba pang evacuation centers na magagamit dahil talagang siksikan na ang mga tao sa mga kasalukuyang tinutuluyan nila,” he disclosed.
The most affected municipality by the massive flooding triggered by the successive typhoons was Rodriguez in Rizal province. The Rizal Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported over 25,000 families were affected and are now living in temporary shelters. The affected municipalities are now in the state of calamity.
“Our emergency medical response team have been in the area since last week including mental health and psychosocial support team to provide address potential mental health needs of evacuees,” he said.
Among the hygiene supplies included in the kit distributed to evacuees were toothbrushes for adult and children, toothpaste, 8 packs of sanitary napkin/pad, shampoo and conditioner, bath soaps, laundry/detergent soap, plastic dipper, bath and towel, malong, 12 pcs of undergarments, chamber pot, comb, nail cutter, 16 liters capacity plastic utility pail.
Face shields and face masks were also included in the kit. A 4-gallon water container and a bag of groceries were also given. There are 25 employees of the regional office that were affected by the calamity in Rizal and currently in evacuation center with their families.
“We will also establish swab testing booths in these evacuation centers to prevent the transmission spread of the Covid virus,” he concluded.
