BUTUAN CITY(November 27) — The Department of Health (DOH) has delivered emergency medical assistance to 5,821 evacuees across Caraga as communities continue to reel from the impact of Tropical Storm Verbena.
In its Wednesday advisory, the DOH said the deployment supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize the health security of displaced families, many of whom have been in overcrowded evacuation sites for days.
Health teams distributed medicines for respiratory infections, fever, and other common illnesses, along with first-aid kits, while also conducting free consultations — a crucial intervention amid rising risks of disease outbreaks in evacuation centers.
The DOH said it is working closely with LGUs to ensure round-the-clock monitoring of shelters, noting that early detection of health threats is key to preventing wider problems.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa added that communities far from hospitals may seek immediate care through Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) Centers, which the DOH is positioning as frontline facilities during climate-driven emergencies.
