• Surveillance of El Niño-related Health Events
  • 25 health events were captured by the Epidemiology Bureau for April 2024
    • Majority are food and waterborne diseases 
    • Increasing cases of dengue in Zamboanga del Sur 
  • Actions taken:
    • Managed cases in the RHUs and different hospitals
    • Conducted field investigations and water, food and human sample testing 
    • Initiated health education campaigns

• Conducted water testing and health promotion activities.
• Continued surveillance of health-related incidents.
• Strengthened surveillance and outbreak investigations.
• Formed the DOH El Niño Committee for comprehensive planning and response.
• Conducted an El Niño Summit for the Health Sector on February 1, 2024.

• Inventory of the water and energy capacity storage of health facilities
• Updating of Surge Capacity and Continuity Plans
• Established network for water testing capacity
• Coordinated with government agencies, LGUs, and private providers to prioritize water and power for health facilities.
• Identified sustainable alternative water and energy sources.
• Prepositioned health commodities, water, and electricity supplies.
• Provided supplies through tankering/rationing to health facilities.
• Issued a Memorandum monitoring health facility readiness for El Niño.
• Assessed health facility preparedness.
• Introduced the El Niño Health Facility Preparedness Tool for assessment and prioritization.

Health Sector - Onset of La Nina 2024

•  Issued DM 2024-0200 Hospital and Health Facility Preparedness for the La Niña Season.  
•  Timely dissemination of advisories and IEC materials.  
•  Continuous monitoring and coordinating with CHDs and DOH Hospitals, especially the areas under state of calamity, on any threat to the health status and health services in the areas.  
•  Close coordination with the EB on the reports and management of outbreaks and clustering of El Niño- and La Niña-related health events.