• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Some elderly in Kanlaon Volcano evacuation centers are experiencing health-related cases but not severe for now.
Dr. Razel Nikka Hao, regional director of the Department of Health (DOH)-Negros Island Region, said such cases were noted by medical and 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 such as opening windows and putting in electric fans.
In La Castellana, some families in temporary tents have been relocated to shaded areas with more trees.
The DOH official, however, said there are no reported issues in water supply or water shortage.
Still, their teams are on alert to monitor possible health impacts if this happens, such as food and water borne diseases and dengue cases.
As of March 11, the Department of Social Welfare and Development reported that there are 2, 628 families, composed of 8,403 individuals, staying inside the 22 active evacuation centers. | GB
