Masbate has received additional supplies of medicine and health workers in response to the threat of disease following the devastation of Typhoon Opong.
According to Dr. Erick Raborar, medical director of the Bicol Regional Hospital, the province is experiencing a surge in patients and needs additional help from doctors and nurses. “I saw the workload of the doctors and they need help. We have sent surgeons and other doctors and nurses to help ease their workload,” he said.
They also provided laparotomy packs, supplies for maternal and pediatric care, and helped with the problem of power outages. Raborar added that hospitals need generators to continue operations. “There are times when the generator is even turned off to rest. Fortunately, it is being repaired so that the service can be 24/7,” he added.
Most of the cases recorded after the typhoon were trauma and injury due to accidents. “That's why surgeons and orthopedic doctors were sent first,” he explained. In the coming days, an increase in cases of gastroenteritis, cough, and other respiratory illnesses is expected. They are also preparing against leptospirosis.
A state of calamity was declared in Masbate after the severe damage caused by Typhoon Opong, where more than 600,000 residents lost power.
