The Department of Health (DOH) 5 (Bicol) continues to provide medical and logistical assistance to areas affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) in October.

In a report on Wednesday, DOH-5 said PHP9.92 million worth of assistance had been mobilized to the various local government units (LGUs) and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council partner agencies.

The health office provided a variety of supplies, including drugs, medicines, collapsible water containers, jerry cans, hygiene kits, aqua tabs, disaster relief tents, face masks, cadaver bags, nutrition commodities, doxycycline medicines, generator sets, water test kits, tetanus toxoid, newborn kits, and elderly kits.

The DOH-5 Health Emergency Response Teams (HERTs) also gave public health and medical services, water, sanitation, and hygiene kits, mental health and psychosocial services, and nutrition services.

In a message, DOH-5 Director Dr. Rodolfo Antonio Albornoz thanked everyone who became part of the region-wide health response for the affected families and communities.

“We express our continued gratitude to the DOH central office. Under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., all government agencies have been tasked with mobilizing efforts to aid Bicol and those who have been afflicted by the calamity. Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa has deployed DOH medical teams to augment the health emergency response teams by sending immediate logistical support to strengthen our exhausted workforce and provide health care to the affected families,” he said.

Albornoz also thanked other national government agencies, LGUs, the medical professionals and staff of DOH-5, and various hospitals in different parts of the country.

“Your assistance has been crucial in the effective operations of our emergency response tactics. Our dear health care workers are the champions and superheroes in this fully activated response,” he added.

Meanwhile, DOH-5 urges the public to practice the “4S” strategy to combat dengue after the region logged a 163 percent increase in cases compared to 2023.

A total of 2,408 dengue cases were reported in the Bicol Region from Jan. 1 to Oct. 26.

The “4S” stands for Search and destroy mosquito breeding grounds by eliminating stagnant water and their containers; Self-protection measures, including the use of insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants; Seeking early consultation with a doctor or health worker when having symptoms; and Supporting fogging or spraying in local hotspots or outbreak areas where case increases are registered. (PNA)