DOH Levels Up in Health Emergency & Disaster Preparedness

The Department of Health (DOH), represented by Assistant Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial, today launched four books and a website in an effort to boost its health advocacy activities to reduce the impact of disasters and empower every Filipino in reducing risks and casualties.

 

The materials consist of the DOH Health Emergency Management Staff’s Pocket Emergency Tool, Safe Hospital Assessment Tool, and Surveillance in Post Extreme Emergencies and Disasters (SPEED) Operations Manual for Managers.

 

With support from the World Health Organization, the series of books can be effectively used as reference materials by health professionals and implementers. The book “Beyond Data” is a compilation of experiences and lessons learned from the hospitals’ point of view on how they were able to survive, address and sustain medical needs services of its client and patients.

 

“These are timely materials that are worth sharing to the public to raise their awareness and to enhance their knowledge so that communities may understand its essential role in health emergencies and disasters,” Ubial explained.

 

The new emergency books are all part of the DOH commitment to ensure Universal Health Care. Initiatives such as Surveillance in Post Extreme Emergencies and Disasters (SPEED) and Hospitals Safe from Disasters are important interventions that can secure health service delivery even when disaster strikes.

 

On the same occasion, the Health Emergency Management Staff officially launched its web portal that will be available to the public starting today. This website contains information from all the regions with special features on emergency preparedness, management and response. Latest health advisories are also provided with access to information needed by the public related to emergency.

 

WHO Country Representative Dr Soe Nyunt-U further affirmed that disaster preparedness in the health sector is a crucial development agenda and efforts towards this end are key areas for collaboration.   Being the co-lead of the Department of Health, the WHO recognizes the importance of this advocacy to increase awareness of the public.

 

As the Department of Health doubles its efforts to achieve Universal Health Care, it has recognized the importance of mainstreaming health emergency management programs which are vital in securing the gains we have achieved so far.  Documentation of how these programs evolved in response to the emerging needs is an essential component of learning how to further improve them. Similarly, putting guidelines into writing is essential as it facilitates standard practice across field implementers during emergencies.

 

“Let us all work towards achieving Universal Health Care (Kalusugan Pangkalahatan) and focus our efforts on shifting our response from disaster preparedness to disaster risk reduction,” Ubial concluded.