MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) has placed all hospitals in quake-ravaged areas under red alert, DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said.
Under red alert, all medical and non-medical personnel are required to report for work.
In an interview with ANC's "News Now" on Tuesday afternoon, Tayag said they will also deploy staff from hospitals in the National Capital Region to augment the teams in the affected areas.
Tayag said the hospitals are expecting an influx of patients as aftershocks are still expected to persist this week.
The DOH earlier said cracks were discovered in six hospitals but assured that they are still operational.
Tayag said inspection of the buildings is ongoing to ensure the safety of the patients as well as the hospital staff.
The government said relief efforts are underway and funds for the affected areas are ready.
The provinces of Bohol and Cebu have been placed under a state of calamity due to the devastating effects of the magnitude 7.2 quake that rocked parts of Visayas and Mindanao Tuesday morning.
The death toll is currently pegged at 73.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
