By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Department of Health in Metro Manila has placed its regional health operations under Code Blue alert until November 20 as the Philippines prepares to host the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.
The DOH-Metro Manila Center for Health Development said the heightened readiness requires its personnel, retained hospitals, and treatment and rehabilitation centers to remain vigilant and closely monitor developments connected with the international gathering.
Regional medical teams, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) teams, health education personnel and development management officers will remain on call and work in 12-hour shifts throughout the alert period.
The Health Emergency Management Services Operation Center will also continuously monitor health emergencies and coordinate with development management officers, local government disaster risk reduction and management for health coordinators, and other response agencies.
The arrangement is intended to ensure that medical and emergency response teams are ready to address health-related incidents during the summit and its related activities.
The Code Blue alert will remain in effect through November 20, extending beyond the November 16–18 summit schedule.
The measure places Metro Manila’s public health response network on heightened readiness as the country receives foreign leaders, delegates and other international visitors.
ia/xf
