THE Department of Health placed all of its hospitals and regional offices on Code White Alert on Sunday until Nov. 2 in preparation for any health-related incidents during All Saints’ Day.
Department spokesman Eric Tayag said the Code White Alert was always declared during a mass gathering or national event.
He said immediate medical attention should be quickly rendered during these events.
“This means also that all medical teams are on standby for immediate mobilization,” he told reporters.
Tayag said the alert was based on Administrative Order 2008-0024, which tasks general and orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, internists and nurses to respond to any emergency situation.
The medicine, equipment and supplies needed are also readied in the hospitals to save patients.
The Health department’s Health Emergency Management Bureau operations center will continuously monitor any health-related event during the holidays.
The department is also working closely with other agencies such as the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Metro Manila Development Authority and local government units for a coordinated health emergency response.
The department advises people to bring their own water and packed food as they are not sure if the foods sold within the cemeteries are safe to eat.
People should also apply skin repellents to avoid mosquito bites that can bring Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya illnesses.