All hospitals in BARMM are directed to prepare for a potential influx of patient due to persistent heavy rainfall causing flooding and landslides in many areas of the region as Ministry of Health (MOH) activates ‘code white’ alert. (Marhom Ibrahim/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has raised “code white alert” on Sunday, directing all personnel to prepare hospital facilities for a potential influx of patient due to persistent heavy rainfall causing flooding and landslides in many areas of the region.
MOH Minister Dr. Kadil Sinolinding urged all services, including ambulances, personnel, and emergency teams, to be on standby and ready to mobilize and respond anytime.
“All health teachings and other preventive measures shall be instituted as our initial intervention in this situation,” he said.
This means that all hospitals in the region are on alert code white, preparing for patient influx anytime.
He added, “Always stay safe and observe precautionary measures in exercising your functions.”
Flash floods and mudflows caused by heavy rains affected thousands of residents in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, and Maguindanao del Norte on Tuesday night, July 9, prompting the region’s ministries, offices, and agencies’ prime responders to prepare and respond immediately as needed.
Based on data from the Office of the Civil Defense-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD-BARMM) as of Friday, July 12, “At least five people were reported dead with three people dead in Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte while two others were reported dead in Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur.”
OCD-BARMM said, “The data is still subject to validation adding that the data also showed 12 people were reported hurt – eight in Matanog town and four in Balabagan, Lanao del Sur.”
The report also added that at least five people were reported missing in the region – two in Matanog; two in Balabagan; and one in Kapatagan with nearly 72,500 families affected by the flood from 336 barangays in the region.
The Bangsamoro Government and local government units have already responded quickly, while the national government has also extended assistance to the flood victims. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO with reports from MOH/OCD-BARMM)