Press Release
March 7, 2008

GORDON LEADS QUICK RED CROSS RESPONSE TO HELP CALAMBA TYPHOID VICTIMS

The Philippine National Red Cross through the leadership of its chairman Senator Richard Gordon is helping save lives and minimize the effects of a typhoid outbreak in Calamba, Laguna. The quick and exemplary reponse of the PNRC-Laguna to the typhoid epidemic is a testament not only to the PNRC's commitment to its mission but also to organizational and operational systems set in place under Gordon's administration. Even as the local government of Calamba, Laguna declared a state of calamity in the typhoid-stricken city, the PNRC-Laguna Chapter stepped up its humanitarian effort to aid hundreds of patients with confirmed or suspected typhoid infection. Quick action by the PNRC-Laguna Chapter in providing medicines and medical supplies helped authorities handle the sudden volume of patients that crowded local hospitals and health centers. The PNRC-Laguna Chapter also visited homes to distribute crucial information regarding typhoid prevention to help stem an increase in the number of affected residents. The PNRC-Laguna Chapter was also able to give intelligence information that helped authorities assess the general situation in the area as the outbreak developed. As early as February 13, when the rising number of cases of typhoid fever was first observed, the PNRC-Laguna Chapter began consolidating reports from various hospitals and health centers, suspecting a possible outbreak of salmonella typhii (the bacteria that causes typhoid fever) infections in the Calamba population. The prompt and accurate information gathering by PNRC-Laguna Chapter and Calamba Red Cross branch gave authorities a clearer, overall picture of the oubreak. Information gathered initially from nine hospitals identified 504 typhoid cases admitted from February 16 to March 1. This, in turn, helped officials isolate some 18 barangays as possible infection hotspots. By March 3, PNRC-Laguna had deployed 43 Red Cross staff and volunteers (divided into 19 teams) across 20 communities to undertake several tasks: 1) evaluation of risks individual households were exposed to vis a vis the typhoid outbreak; 2) dissemination of 1,200 health booklets, 50 posters and other materials educating families about typhoid prevention; and 3) further information gathering on the number of diagnosed and suspected typhoid cases. By March 4, a team from the PNRC-NHQ was in the area for further assessment, monitoring and additional distribution of even more health booklets, posters and medicines. In coordination with the Department of Health and the City Health Office Operation Center, the PNRC is committed to the following undertakings in response to the typhoid outbreak:

* An intensified information campaign in Calamba mobilizing 50 RC staff * and volunteers.

* Further support to the CHO-Op Center to monitor communities.

* Providing RC volunteers to continue data gathering and encoding of * hospital and community reports about the outbreak

* The distribution of medicines and medical supplies including sanitizers, * blankets and mats to patients.

The PNRC is set to meet with local authorities and DOH officials to map out further courses of action to handle the epidemic. With hospitals overcrowded and patients staying either at home or makeshift wards, and the increasing need for medicines and supplies, the Red Cross is committed to its efforts at helping Calamba residents recover and return to their normal lives.

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