By Sally Atento-Altea
LEGAZPI CTY, Oct 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) Bicol reminded the public not to forget health and safety concerns amidst the usual traditions done to celebrate Undas such as visiting the cemeteries or bringing and sharing food with friends and families to remember departed loved ones.
Kenn S. Nuyda, DOH Bicol health education and promotion officer, said they are currently on intensified advocacy and information campaign to ensure safety of the public particularly against accidents, food and water borne diseases, mosquito carried diseases and other ailments.
“We will be having a long vacation to celebrate Undas with our family to remember our departed loved ones but let us not forget our health and safety especially those who will be travelling to and from the Bicol region,” Nuyda said.
DOH Bicol, added Nuyda, is currently on close coordination with other concerned agencies and health facilities in the region in disseminating information noting that they are preparing their emergency response team for the declaration of Code White Alert from October 30 until November 2 in time for the country’s observance of All Saints and All Souls Day.
“A Code White Alert is declared when there is a mass gathering or national event and there is a possibility of emergency conditions that may need immediate medical attention. All medical teams are on standby for immediate mobilization,” he said.
Meanwhile, DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial has earlier appealed to transport owners to deploy more buses to bring people to provinces and avoid overcrowding and overloading of passengers, which oftentimes are causes of accidents.
Commuters are also urged to plan their trips, bring water to avoid dehydration, and be more patient as there will be more passengers going to the province to pay their respects to their dearly departed loved ones.
“It would be better not to bring along babies and small children to cemeteries/memorial parks as they are vulnerable to contracting diseases due to their low resistance to infection, heat, and congestion. The elderly are advised to stay at home especially if they have medical conditions or are visiting alone,” she noted.
DOH also reminded local government units (LGUs) and ambulant vendors to ensure food safety through proper preparation and sanitation when selling food.
Food-borne illnesses are usually caused by food produced for mass catering which were not cooked, stored, or handled properly. Establishments that prepare, serve, and distribute food for mass catering should guarantee the safety of the food for prevention of food borne illnesses and outbreaks,” Ubial added.
DOH also advised communities to include Search and Destroy of mosquito breeding sites in their preparation for All Saints’ Day. Insect repellants should be used to avoid mosquito bites.
In the Bicol region, Nuyda said that dengue cases along with other mosquito-carried diseases are manageable and are not that alarming as local government units and communities are in close coordination to implement and ensure cleanliness and control of possible breeding sites.
The public is also advised to bring umbrellas for protection from the rain or too much sun.
People visiting cemeteries should also beware of animal bites. Medical services are available for first aid treatment by health volunteers.
For further concerns and queries, DOH Hotlines are established 24/7 to respond to citizens who may need assistance. They may be reached thru (02) 711-1001 or (02) 711-1002.
The DOH Bicol Health Emergency Management Service (HEMS) is likewise on standby and may be reached at 48300935 local 508.(MAL/SAA/DOH5/PIA5/Albay)
LEGAZPI CTY, Oct 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) Bicol reminded the public not to forget health and safety concerns amidst the usual traditions done to celebrate Undas such as visiting the cemeteries or bringing and sharing food with friends and families to remember departed loved ones.
Kenn S. Nuyda, DOH Bicol health education and promotion officer, said they are currently on intensified advocacy and information campaign to ensure safety of the public particularly against accidents, food and water borne diseases, mosquito carried diseases and other ailments.
“We will be having a long vacation to celebrate Undas with our family to remember our departed loved ones but let us not forget our health and safety especially those who will be travelling to and from the Bicol region,” Nuyda said.
DOH Bicol, added Nuyda, is currently on close coordination with other concerned agencies and health facilities in the region in disseminating information noting that they are preparing their emergency response team for the declaration of Code White Alert from October 30 until November 2 in time for the country’s observance of All Saints and All Souls Day.
“A Code White Alert is declared when there is a mass gathering or national event and there is a possibility of emergency conditions that may need immediate medical attention. All medical teams are on standby for immediate mobilization,” he said.
Meanwhile, DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial has earlier appealed to transport owners to deploy more buses to bring people to provinces and avoid overcrowding and overloading of passengers, which oftentimes are causes of accidents.
Commuters are also urged to plan their trips, bring water to avoid dehydration, and be more patient as there will be more passengers going to the province to pay their respects to their dearly departed loved ones.
“It would be better not to bring along babies and small children to cemeteries/memorial parks as they are vulnerable to contracting diseases due to their low resistance to infection, heat, and congestion. The elderly are advised to stay at home especially if they have medical conditions or are visiting alone,” she noted.
DOH also reminded local government units (LGUs) and ambulant vendors to ensure food safety through proper preparation and sanitation when selling food.
Food-borne illnesses are usually caused by food produced for mass catering which were not cooked, stored, or handled properly. Establishments that prepare, serve, and distribute food for mass catering should guarantee the safety of the food for prevention of food borne illnesses and outbreaks,” Ubial added.
DOH also advised communities to include Search and Destroy of mosquito breeding sites in their preparation for All Saints’ Day. Insect repellants should be used to avoid mosquito bites.
In the Bicol region, Nuyda said that dengue cases along with other mosquito-carried diseases are manageable and are not that alarming as local government units and communities are in close coordination to implement and ensure cleanliness and control of possible breeding sites.
The public is also advised to bring umbrellas for protection from the rain or too much sun.
People visiting cemeteries should also beware of animal bites. Medical services are available for first aid treatment by health volunteers.
For further concerns and queries, DOH Hotlines are established 24/7 to respond to citizens who may need assistance. They may be reached thru (02) 711-1001 or (02) 711-1002.
The DOH Bicol Health Emergency Management Service (HEMS) is likewise on standby and may be reached at 48300935 local 508.(MAL/SAA/DOH5/PIA5/Albay)
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