The Department of Health (DOH) has deployed medical teams to Bogo City in Cebu, following a call for medical volunteers by the province after a strong earthquake struck the city on Tuesday night.
In a Facebook post, the DOH said that Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa sent medical teams last night for emergency response in Bogo City.
‘Doctors, nurses and staff of the DOH Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and the DOH Cebu South Medical Center (CSMC) have reported back on their safety and are now deploying medical teams to nearby areas, especially in Bogo City itself,’ DOH Spokesperson Dr. Albert Domingo said in a separate statement.
Domingo also said that DOH centers for health development in Central and Eastern Visayas are coordinating with the regional counterparts of the Office of Civil Defense.
‘The DOH advises all in affected areas to heed all instructions and advice from their local government units and to brace for possible aftershocks,’ Domingo added.
In a separate post, the provincial government of Cebu said that the province needs medical volunteers ‘to augment manpower, especially in the north.’ Interested volunteers may contact 0915-330-3293.
The provincial government also said that the following medical teams are now in Bogo City:
Sotto Trauma Team led by Dr. Aquino
Provincial Health Office led by Dr. Arsenal
Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation led by Dr. Don Rosello
The following teams are expected to arrive in a few hours:
Argao District Hospital
Barili District Hospital
Ricardo L. Maningo Memorial Hospital (Camotes)
‘The neighboring province of Bohol will also send medical staff to support Cebu’s operations. Meanwhile, South Cotabato governor has confirmed to Governor Pamela S. Baricuatro that relief goods, hygiene kits, and a medical team are already on their way from General Santos City to Cebu,’ the province said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology initially measured the earthquake’s magnitude at 6.7 before upgrading it to 6.9. The earthquake occurred at 9:59 p.m. (Sept. 30) with its epicenter located 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City in Cebu.
In an interview with ANC, the Cebu Provincial Information Office on Wednesday reported 27 fatalities and 37 injuries, with figures expected to rise as rescue operations are currently ongoing