DOH Boosts Preparations for Disasters

The Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday that it is boosting its readiness to disasters that can lead to loss of lives, wounds, sickness or outbreaks.

In a press briefing held at media relations unit of DOH highlighting July as the National Disaster Consciousness Month, DOH Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial said that it was very important to be prepared at all times and that everyone in the health sector and the communities should be involved in the reduction of morbidities and mortalities.

Ubial said a wider awareness on the preparation was needed especially in the community level so that the people could also be empowered with the preparation that they made to benefit families and fellows in the community where they live.

Ubial added that part of being prepared was having the ability to do basic things that could help save other people lives such as having knowledge in providing basic life support and cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when needed.

She also said that in line with that, they had readied equipment and medicines on the hospital levels.

The equipment include mannequins for basic life support training , short-waved radio, foldable bike with machines and medical supplies for mobility in impassable roads, life saving apparatus, and information materials for emergencies and disasters.

The commitment to the celebration was through its involvement in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in response to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

It is also in line with the goal of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to reduce morbidity and mortality from the disasters that may occur in the country.

In addition, the DOH Chief also ensured that steps in the health services were also readied as part of the lessons learned during the super typhoon Yolanda in November, 2013.

She further said that government’s television and radio communication stations would be strengthened to provide the correct and timely information to help in the spread of communication materials where the public could listen and know better what to do.

DOH will also come-out with reading materials in the tabloid form to communicate effectively its reminders in reducing disaster risks to make the public more aware. (PNA) RMA/LSJ/EDS