IT’S reassuring to know that the Department of Health (DOH) is doing everything to enable healthcare facilities to meet the medical needs of the people during the El Nino phenomenon.

The health department recalled that in 1998, the sick had problems receiving health services due to water shortage in many hospitals in various parts of the country.

In fact, official records show that aside from causing crippling floods and destructive droughts, El Nino escalates disease outbreaks in affected communities.

It is public knowledge that the phenomenon spreads a variety of endemic deadly illnesses such as dengue, malaria, cholera, hantavirus, fever and chikungunya.

Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag noted that water supply is very important in healthcare facilities as doctors conduct life-saving services such as surgery.

“Yung diarrhea, ang tustos na ibinibigay natin diyan ay oral rehydration salt solusyon, paano mo ma iha-hydrate ‘yung pasyenteng nawalan ng tubig…eh wala naman tayong pamalit doon,” said Tayag.

DOH had earlier reminded healthcare facilities to have a business continuity plan to provide the public with early warning against the harmful effects of El Nino.

“Sila ba ay isa sa mga rarasyunan ng tubig? Sila ba ay maglilipat ng pasyente? Kung gagawin po ‘yan, sila ay dapat may malinaw na ugnayan (sa lilipatan),” said Tayag.

Aware of the harmful effects of El Nino, Dr. Tayag called on the Filipino people to take extra measures to avoid the emergence and resurgence of diseases due to El Nino.

Through quiet work, concerned government authorities are doing everything to address the various problems caused by the onset of the El Nino phenomenon.

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