DOH sends medical teams to Bohol

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) sent medical and sanitation teams to Bohol to prevent the outbreak of diseases in evacuation centers sheltering hundreds of families affected by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit the province.

Eduardo Janairo, director of DOH-National Capital Region, said the medical team would augment the health and emergency teams in far-flung communities that were hardest hit by the quake. They would expand medical coverage to give more people medical treatment.

The sanitation team, meanwhile, would provide disinfection and sanitation services in evacuation centers. They would check on the potability of water supply, monitor excreta disposal, supervise the management of solid waste and conduct anti-dengue spraying.

The teams would also assist in the distribution of medicines. They will be in Bohol for five days and another team would be deployed in the province after their tour of duty.

“We will continue to respond to the health needs of those affected by the disaster and will provide continuous assistance until such time that the people have already recovered,” Janairo said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy logistic ship yesterday left her homeport in Cavite for Tagbilaran City in Bohol with 361.07 tons of assorted relief goods for quake victims.

Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Gerald Fabic said BRP Dagupan City is also transporting augmentation personnel from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Philippine Red Cross.

Australian embassy visits Central Visayas

Officials of the Australian embassy also visited quake-stricken areas in Central Visayas yesterday, following Australia’s recent announcement of a P124-million aid package for the Philippines.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell said the visit, which will last until tomorrow, is in line with the his government’s commitment to assist the Philippines in providing assistance to earthquake victims.

“Australia, as a close friend of the Philippines, is supporting the Philippine government’s efforts to provide relief and meet recovery needs of the people who are suffering from the devastating impact of the earthquake,” Tweddell said.

Australia’s package of support includes P44 million (A$1.1 million) worth of prepositioned supplies such as family survival kits containing sleeping mats, mosquito nets and water containers; rice; and health and dignity kits for women.

 Australia will also provide P40 million (A$1 million) to respond to other critical relief needs identified in the United Nations Action Plan such as shelter, water and sanitation, and early recovery activities. Another P40 million will be provided to replenish prepositioned supplies.

Yesterday Tweddell visited Cebu, including the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Jesus where he also met with beneficiaries of the Australian government’s aid program in the province.

 Layton Pike, minister counsellor for Australian Aid, will visit devastated areas in Bohol, including the municipality of Loon, tomorrow. He will lead the distribution of relief supplies from the Australian government.

 Pike will also inspect the extent of the earthquake’s damage on gravel roads that were previously rehabilitated by the Australian-government-funded Provincial Roads Management Facility (PRMF). – With Charlie Lagasca