The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday placed all its hospitals and regional offices under Code White Alert ahead of the expected landfall of Tropical Depression Wilma in Eastern Visayas or the Dinagat Islands between Friday night and early Saturday.
Under the heightened alert status, medical facilities are required to ensure the availability of health personnel and emergency resources to respond to possible casualties or surge in patients.
The DOH said essential medicines — including doxycycline, cough and fever medications, and maintenance drugs — have already been prepositioned in areas likely to be affected by the storm.
Medical equipment such as oxygen tanks and hospital beds for emergency tents have also been prepared, while Health Emergency Response Teams are now on standby.
The DOH Operations Center is conducting 24/7 monitoring to ensure rapid coordination with local government units and immediate deployment of assistance as needed.
Wilma, which has maintained its strength while moving southwestward, triggered Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over several areas in Visayas and Mindanao.
The public is urged to follow official advisories and take necessary precautions as the weather system approaches.
