Manila, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona said that all DOH hospitals nationwide is on code white alert today, November 1, 2013 for possible occurrence of health emergencies for the observance of All Saints’ Day (Undas 2013).
“The DOH-Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS) will be monitoring the situation 24 hours to respond to various health emergencies that may need immediate medical attention,” Ona said.
The health department is coordinating with the local government units (LGUs) including Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for the deployment of medical assistance near cemeteries.
Ona said that a code white alert level in all hospitals means the readiness of every hospital personnel from the general surgeon, orthopedics, anesthesiologists, internists, operating room nurses, ophthalmologists and otorhinolaryngologists to respond to emergency situations.
“The DOH-Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS) will be monitoring the situation 24 hours to respond to various health emergencies that may need immediate medical attention,” Ona said.
The health department is coordinating with the local government units (LGUs) including Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for the deployment of medical assistance near cemeteries.
Ona said that a code white alert level in all hospitals means the readiness of every hospital personnel from the general surgeon, orthopedics, anesthesiologists, internists, operating room nurses, ophthalmologists and otorhinolaryngologists to respond to emergency situations.
Emergency service personnel, nurses and administrative staff residing at hospital dormitories are placed on an on-call status for immediate mobilization.
Ona also cautioned the public against buying peddled food in cemeteries as cases of food poisoning and diarrhea are usually contracted in these places. These foods commonly sold on the streets are pancit, spaghetti, green mangoes, cassava, fruit juices, chicken gizzards, corn, eggs, etc.
Ona also appealed to bus operators and other transport owners to deploy more buses to bring people to provinces. He further explained that unplanned trips and overcrowding of passengers in public conveyances, or even privately owned vehicles, are common causes of accidents.
For people intending to spend the whole day at the cemetery, Ona advised the public to bring their own food and water and avoid foods that can be easily spoiled. He also advised them against bringing babies and small children to the cemetery because they are more prone to acquiring diseases and other infections due to their low resistance.
