by: Rodrigo S. Victoria
NAVAL,Biliran, – The Health Education and Promotion Officer (HEPO) of the Biliran Provincial Health Office (BPHO) in Biliran province said that all health facilities and medical teams are on white code alert during the traditional annual observance of “Undas” this year as people flock to the cemeteries to visit their dearly departed members of the family, relatives and friends.
Vanessa Veloso Ramirez, HEPO of the Biliran Provincial Health Office said, white code alert is declared by their office everytime there is mass gathering or national event wherein there are possibilities of emergency conditions that may need immediate medical attention.
“Health facilities and medical teams are on standby and ready for immediate mobilization”, Ramirez said, especially during observance of the All Souls Day and All Saints Day on November 1 and 2 where there are presence of mass of people going to cemeteries the municipalities of Biliran province to visit their departed loved ones.
Ramirez also gave important health tips to the public in times of their visit to cemeteries which are helpful to avoid being inflicted with diseases like abdominal pain, diarrhea, food poisoning, hepatitis and heat stroke.
She advised the public to bring their own food and water to ensure safe preparation and to avoid diarrhea and food poisoning. She also advised the public to bring foods that have longer shelf-life.
Ramirez also warned the public from buying street foods or foods peddled in cemeteries since sanitation and safety of these foods are doubtful as these might be exposed to dust and other disease-carrying organisms which may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, hepatitis and food poisoningand other diseases.
“It is also helpful to schedule the visit in cemetery either early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid too much exposures to the sun’s ultraviolet rays”, she further said.
“Special attention must be given to younger children and older adults as they are more prone to experience heat strokes”, Ramirez emphasized and further advised the public to bring potable drinking water, wear protective clothing and gears such as umbrella and cap.
The Biliran HEPO told people with hypertension to make sure that they have taken their maintenance medicines before going to cemetery where exposure from heat of the sun and big crowd are inevitable.
“It would be better not to bring along babies and small children to cemeteries and memorial parks as they are vulnerable to contracting diseases due to their low resistance to infection, heat and congestion”, she further said.
She advised the public that if and when experencing symptoms of stomach ache, vomiting and drowsiness, it would be better to immediately go to the nearest hospital or health center for immediate medical attention and treatment. (fj/PIA 8 Biliran)
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