Prepare for El Niño, advises the Department of Health.

It feels like we have entered a  very hot oven that is how hot Philippines are, it will get hotter As the country continues to brace itself for the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to affect most locations across the country beginning in June, the Department of Health (DOH) has recommended all hospitals and health care facilities to take precautions to limit its negative effects.

The DOH stated in Department Circular 2023-0183 that all health care institutions must be prepared for the weather phenomena in order to continue providing services to the public.

“We are advising all government and private hospitals and health facilities to take necessary measures to prepare and ensure resilience in time of El Niño,” said the DOH.

“Hospitals and other health facilities shall prepare their respective institutions to maintain service continuity.”

The DOH encouraged hospitals to keep an appropriate quantity of water on hand, to collaborate with local water concessionaires, to account for water storage equipment, to repair water waste, and to educate staff on good water management practices. It also encouraged hospitals to prepare for power outages and to utilize energy-saving devices.

The Department of Health recommended hospitals to implement energy-saving methods and to brace themselves for a rise in consultations with infectious, dermatologic, food and waterborne, or systemic illnesses, diseases, or disorders.