MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News Service) — The Department of Health said it had prepositioned P242 million worth of medicine and medical supplies in Eastern Visayas, where super typhoon ‘Ruby’ is expected to make landfall on Saturday afternoon.
Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin said DOH would be on Code Red alert on Saturday, December 6, in preparation for the expected landfall of typhoon Ruby in Eastern Visayas.
She said the DOH had required all of their personnel and hospital workers to report to their respective offices to respond to emergencies.
Standby teams had also been formed and logistics had been prepared as government units spearheaded preparations for typhoon Ruby.
Garin said health offices and hospitals had been given cash advances and there would be close coordination between the central and regional offices.
The health department has also rented motorcycles and bicycles to be used as means of transport in areas that would be rendered impassable by the storm. Garin said a satellite phone was also due to be sent to Eastern Visayas to ensure continuous communication with the region in case the typhoon would damage phone lines.
Garin was among those who attended the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) meeting presided over by President Aquino on Thursday afternoon.
She said theDOH had already readied P48 million in additional funds from the central office, as well as body bags that regional offices could distribute to local government units if there is a need.
Garin further said they are on Code Blue alert, which means 50 percent of their personnel are reporting to hospitals and regional offices (Eagle News Service with a PND report)
