Manila: More than PHP10 million worth of health supplies are being prepositioned across Luzon regions ahead of the possible impact of the storm to be named Uwan once it enters the country. The Department of Health (DOH) stated that it is on heightened alert to address the medical and health needs of communities potentially affected by the typhoon.
According to Philippines News Agency, the prepositioned supplies include medicines for cough and fever, antibiotics, maintenance medicines, hygiene kits, and containers filled with safe drinking water. The agency has distributed CAMPOLAS kits, which contain Cotrimoxazole, Amoxicillin, Mefenamic Acid, Paracetamol, Oral Rehydration Salts, Lagundi, Vitamin A, and skin ointment. Health Emergency Response Teams (HERTs) and DOH hospitals are on standby for immediate deployment to areas that may experience severe weather conditions.
The public is urged to observe safety protocols and prepare emergency kits as the storm approaches landmass. Meanwhile, the DOH 8 (Eastern Visayas) is closely monitoring the health conditions of an estimated 17,000 evacuees in the region to prevent the spread of illnesses in evacuation centers following the recent onslaught of Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi).
In a Facebook post on Friday, the DOH mentioned its surveillance and medical response efforts are concentrated on the provinces of Biliran, Leyte, and Samar, where the majority of evacuees are seeking shelter, in coordination with provincial and city health offices. Teams have been deployed to conduct daily health assessments and field validations to detect and respond to cases of fever, cough, colds, leptospirosis, and other infections commonly spread in crowded shelters.
More medicines, hygiene kits, and medical supplies are being mobilized to meet the needs of affected local government units, as stated by the regional office. Meanwhile, the DOH 7's (Central Visayas) Center for Health Development has activated its Health Emergency Operations Center to lead 24-hour medical response operations in the provinces of Bohol and Cebu.
Severe Tropical Storm Fung-wong (international name) is forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday and will be named Uwan. PAGASA indicated that the tropical cyclone may rapidly intensify and could become a super typhoon by Saturday evening or Sunday morning. It is forecasted to make landfall over the southern portion of Isabela or the northern portion of Aurora late Sunday or early Monday before crossing Northern Luzon and emerging over the West Philippine Sea.
