Hospitals, health offices on Code White alert – DOH

MANILA, Philippines – Health Secretary Enrique Ona ordered all regional health offices and hospitals affiliated with the agency to be on Code White alert starting on Sunday, May 12, a day before the midterm elections.

Code White alert is imposed for national events, such as elections, in anticipation for mass casualty incidents. It also empowers regional health offices to be prepared to assist in any mass evacuation in their areas.

“In anticipation of any eventualities that may occur during the 2013 national elections, the Code White alert is raised in all DOH regional offices and hospitals effective (on) May 12, Sunday,” Ona said Friday, May 10.

The directive requires medical institutions to be fully stocked and equipped of emergency medicines, especially trauma, among others, so victims will not be required to purchase them.

The health chief noted that regional health directors are encouraged to send flash reports of any incident to the DOH-Health Emergency Management Staff’s Operations Center (OpCen). Officers stationed in the OpCen will coordinate with other key agencies for immediate response.

Hotline numbers for the DOH-HEMS OpCen are 711-1001 and 711-1002.

Ona also reminded the public, especially voters, to bring water and avoid staying in the sun to prevent heat stroke on election day.

DOH supervises more than 70 hospitals and health offices nationwide. – Rappler.com