• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Some of the elderly in Kanlaon evacuation centers are experiencing health related cases, although not severe for now, according to Dr. Razel Nikka Hao, Department of Health regional director for Negros Island Region.
Hao said cases were noted by medical health personnel deployed in the evacuation centers, who immediately referred the patients to hospitals for appropriate action.
In the past several days, heat index in Negros Occidental has reached as high as 40 degrees Celsius, which falls under the “extreme caution” category.
Under this category, heat cramps and exhaustion are possible; and prolonged outdoor activity may lead to heat stroke.
Hao said they have already instructed camp managers to check on the ventilation in the evacuation centers, including opening windows and putting in electric fans.
In La Castellana, some families in temporary tents have been relocated to shaded areas with more trees. She, however, said that there were no reported issues in the water supply or water shortages, as of this time.
But Hao said their teams are on alert to monitor possible health impacts if these happen, especially on food, water borne diseases, and dengue.
As of March 11, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that there are 2,628 families, composed of 8,403 individuals, staying inside 22 open evacuation centers, aside from 3,752 families, comprising 11,579 persons, that have chosen to stay outside evacuation centers.*
