The Department of Health (DOH) has released guidelines to healthcare facilities nationwide on how to manage water shortage due to the El Niño phenomenon. DOH Undersecretary Eric Tayag noted that water supply is important in healthcare facilities as they conduct life-saving services like surgeries. ‘Ongoing na po ‘yung assessment, tinatanggap na namin ‘yung mga report nila sapagkat iko-consolidate namin ‘yung mga pangangailangan nila (The assessment is ongoing, we have accepted their reports because we will consolidate their needs),” he said in a press briefing Monday. Earlier, the DOH reminded all healthcare facilities nationwide to have a business continuity plan to provide the public with early warning against the harmful effects of El Niño. ‘Sila ay isa ba sa mga rarasyunan ng tubig? Sila ba ay maglilipat ng pasyente? Kung gagawin po ‘yan, sila ay dapat may malinaw na ugnayan (Do they water ration? Are they going to transfer patients? If these will be done, there must be clear coordination),’ he said. The DOH is urging the public to take care to avoid the emergence and resurgence of diseases due to El Niño. He recounted dengue cases surged in 1998 due to El Niño and people had problems receiving health services due to water shortage in most hospitals. ”Yung diarrhea, ang tustos na binibigay natin diyan ay ang oral rehydration salt solution, paano mo iha-hydrate yung pasyenteng nawawalan ng tubig at electrolytes eh wala naman tayong pamalit doon (Diarrhea, for example, oral rehydration salt solution is the remedy for that, how are you going to hydrate a patient who has water and electrolytes deficiency if you don’t have a replacement for them),’ he said. Apart from preparation for El Niño-related health issues, the DOH has also lined up health promotion activities in celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month this July
Source: Philippines News Agency