‘Kanlaon evacuees’ health situation manageable’

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Health officials in Negros Island Region (NIR) have given assurance that the health situation in evacuation centers for those displaced by Kanlaon Volcano is now manageable compared to last week.

Razzel Nikka Hao, chief of the Department of Health (DOH)-NIR, said some evacuees contracted ordinary ailments such as colds, cough and fever and were referred to rural health units.

“There is no referral of any ailments to higher level facilities or hospitals,” Hao said, adding that in previous weeks, most evacuees complained of acute respiratory infections.

With this development, Hao said they are now conducting routine services, such as immunization and distribution of supplemental vitamins to malnourished children.

She said flu vaccines for adults have arrived at the evacuation centers.

Records from the Department of Social Welfare and Development show that there are 3,621 families, composed of 11,371 people staying in and outside evacuation centers.

Hao said the DOH-NIR has distributed medicine in rural health units located near evacuation centers as part of the preparations for another possible eruption of Kanlaon.

Entry into the volcano’s permanent danger zone remains prohibited.