DOH: 11 hospitals damaged from quake

MANILA, Philippines - Eleven hospitals in Central Visayas were damaged following the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that shook the region on Tuesday, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, DOH said out of the 11 hospitals, six were DOH hospitals, two were managed by the local government while three were private.

The state agency added that two hospitals are no longer functioning and patients have already been transferred to other locations.

DOH said its teams have been deployed in Tagbilaran City to support the medical staff in the area while orthopedic surgeons were also sent to Bohol to assist medical teams.

Health Undersecretary Teodoro Herbosa earlier said supplies will be sent to hospitals to remain fully operational.

DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said hospitals shoulf be prepared for an influx of injured patients, while reminding the public to stay away from collapsed structures whose dust can cause lung problems.