DOH: 11 health facilities in Luzon partially damaged due to Carina, Habagat effects

Eleven healthcare facilities in Luzon have sustained partial damage from the effects of the Typhoon Carina-enhanced Southwest Monsoon, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday. 

At a press conference, DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said that among the hospitals that were partially functioning is the San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital in Malabon City. 

“Kapag umulan at nag-high tide, ‘yung dike umaapaw. So na-affect ‘yung ground floor. Pero sabi nila, they continue to provide services,” the Health Secretary said. 

(When it rains and there is high tide, the nearby dike overflows. So the ground floor of the hospital was affected. But they said, they continue to provide services.) 

He said some health centers were also partially damaged in Ilocos Region and Central Luzon.

Meanwhile, operations at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) were “back to normal” on Thursday after its outpatient department (OPD) and cancer institute clinics had to close on Wednesday due to the heavy rains and flooding.

This was also affirmed by PGH spokesperson Dr. Jonas del Rosario to GMA News Online, saying that the flooding around the area has already subsided. 

“Back to full operations na ang PGH. Although kahapon, they have to close some areas kasi na-flood ‘yung ground floor ng ibang areas nila, and of course mahirap ma-access because alam niyo naman, naging dagat ang Taft Avenue, so mahirap din puntahan,” Herbosa said. 

(PGH is back to full operations. Yesterday, they had to close some areas because the ground floor was flooded, and of course it's difficult to get to PGH because Taft Avenue was flooded.) 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday that at least 21 people were reported dead in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon amid the impact of the Habagat and Carina. — BM, GMA Integrated News