The Ministry of Health of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) has declared a code white protocol in all hospitals in flooded areas of the region for a possible spike in flood-related diseases.
Since July 9, heavy rains have caused widespread flooding in several BARMM areas, displacing about 120,674 people in 413 barangays in the region. The calamity heavily affected the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, and the Special Geographic Area (SGA).
“As soon as the calamity started, health units were immediately mobilized and dispatched for a possible increase in the number of patients and medical emergencies,” MOH-BARMM Health Minister Kadil Sinolinding Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday.
Teams consisting of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (DRRMOs) and Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) personnel have been formed from Day 1 to assess the immediate needs and health risks in affected areas, Sinolinding said.
The MOH has also prepositioned essential supplies, such as medicine, hygiene kits, and temporary shelters, in collaboration with local government units and health institutions.
Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi), the region’s disaster response unit, said eight persons died of drowning during the flash floods in BARMM, while 23 were injured and two remain missing.
Lobelo Jofel Delicana, READi chief of operation, said the calamity destroyed 285 houses and damaged 225, for a total of 510.
He reported that as of Tuesday, the damage wrought by the inundation of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and SGA was put at PHP149 million. (PNA)
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