By Rowena Cruz Ligtas Christmas sa Healthy Pilipinas campaign poster of DOH. (Photo from Health Education and Promotion Unit - DOH CHD Calab...
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| Ligtas Christmas sa Healthy Pilipinas campaign poster of DOH. (Photo from Health Education and Promotion Unit - DOH CHD Calabarzon) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - All government hospitals and health facilities in the region are on Code White Alert, which means that they are prepared to respond to any emergency or disaster that may occur during the New Year's Eve celebrations. The code white alert ensures that adequate medical personnel, equipment, and supplies are available to provide immediate and efficient medical assistance to those in need.
The Department of Health CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) announced on December 29, 2023, that all government hospitals and health facilities in the region will be on Code White Alert until January 2, 2024.
“Ito ay taun-taon nating ginagawa dahil sa inaasahang bilang ng mga naputukan sa pagsalubong sa bagong taon. Bagaman paunti-unti na lang ang mga isinusugod sa ospital kumpara noong mga nakaraang taon ay mabuting nakahanda pa rin tayo,” said OIC Assistant Secretary of Health and DOH CALABARZON Regional Director Ariel I. Valencia.
The readiness of medical personnel in hospitals and health offices to provide vital health services is referred to as a code white alert.
According to DOH CALABARZON, from December 21 to 27, 2023, there were four recorded cases of fireworks-related injuries. It is 2 cases higher, or 67%, compared to the same date five (5) years ago (2018–2022).
The DOH guarantees the public that all Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Health (DRRM-H) counterparts at the Local Government Unit (LGU) and hospitals are on standby and will activate and sustain the functions of the Operation Center/One Hospital Command (OPCEN/OHCC) 24/7 for the covered dates.
The DOH also ensures the readiness and availability of health emergency response teams as well as logistics for deployment.
Meanwhile, the DOH warns the public about food-borne diseases or food poisoning caused by infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, and parasites) and non-infectious agents (chemicals, animal, and plant toxins).
“We have to be wary of the food we eat, lalo na yung mga pagkain na mabilis mapanis, and if we are uncertain when and how the food was prepared, If food poisoning is suspected, visit the nearest hospital,” Valencia added.
Food poisoning symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea for the majority of people.
In the event of a fireworks-related health emergency, DOH CALABARZON recommends that the public go to the nearest health facility in their area for immediate medical attention.
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