NDRRMC: DOH on white alert for Typhoon Mina

The Department of Health has placed on white alert its Center for Health Development (CHD) units in areas along the path of Typhoon Mina (Nanmadol), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Friday. In its 6 a.m. update, the NDRRMC said other agencies also pre-positioned equipment and personnel to address possible effects of Mina. "DOH activated Code 'White Alert' in all CHDs, sent alert Memo to all CHDs along the typhoon path and (ordered the) stockpiling of medicines and medical supplies," it said. Under a Code White Alert, emergency medicines especially for trauma needs are to be stocked up and made available at the emergency room. Medicines and supplies in the operating rooms should likewise be reviewed and increased to meet sudden requirements, and other needs such as X-ray plates, laboratory requirements, and others should be made available and not required to be purchased by victims. The NDRRMC itself went on red alert effective 5 p.m. Thursday, after the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Mina had intensified into a typhoon. As of Friday morning, PAGASA said Mina threatens the northern Luzon area. At least three provinces have been placed under Storm Signal No. 3 as of early Friday morning. On the other hand, the Department of Public Works and Highways pre-positioned its available equipment and manpower in areas likely to be affected by Mina. The Philippine National Police activated its National Disaster Operations Center to mobilize incident management task groups. It also pre-positioned its search-and-rescue teams and coordinated with local governments for possible preemptive evacuations. For its part, the Armed Forces of the Philippines alerted its units for possible immediate deployment. The Bureau of Fire Protection alerted its units to be on standby. — RSJ, GMA News