DOH orders disease outbreak watch in jails

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has ordered its experts to closely monitor all jails in Metro Manila to prevent disease outbreaks due to the acute water shortage in parts of the metropolis.

Inmates may develop dermatitis and other skin ailments when the water shortage compromises sanitation and hygiene at detention facilities, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said Friday.

“We just have to monitor. We have to proactively send our National Capital Region office and our Epidemiology Bureau to closely monitor the situation in our jail facilities,” he told reporters.

During summer, inmates in congested detention cells usually suffer from boils, scabies, upper respiratory infection, skin asthma and heat rash. 

Experts fear these conditions may be aggravated by the water supply shortage in areas covered by concessionaire Manila Water Services Inc.

Duque said jail authorities have a “protocol on how to how to manage the illnesses or conditions” during summer or when there is a water shortage and DOH experts will only step in to ensure that the jails “are maintained in such a way that (the water crisis) will not lead to disease outbreaks.”

Secure water lines

Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Guillermo Eleazar said they have issued a directive last Thursday ordering local police officers to secure all water distribution points and ration lines in cities affected by the water shortage.

He said while there have been no untoward incidents, police officers will coordinate with local government units, water concessionaires and other support agencies to “ensure an organized and systematic distribution procedure.”

The Philippine National Police has also ordered all police stations to conserve water. PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Bernard Banac said police officers are not exempt from a Civil Service Commission order that allows personnel to be in civilian attire due to the water shortage.

Forgoing uniforms

Public school teachers and students who live in areas affected by the water shortage in Mandaluyong may be allowed not to wear uniforms in classes.

Nerissa Losaria, officer-in-charge of the schools division office in Mandaluyong, said public school heads may identify days when teachers and students would not be required to wear uniforms.

“Due to an ongoing crisis in water supply, teachers and students who live in affected areas may not wear their uniform on days identified by their respective school heads,” Losaria said in a memorandum signed last Thursday.

“Furthermore, all issues related to the crisis on water supply that affect the school operation must be reported for immediate and appropriate action,” she added.

Losaria reminded school heads who would forego the uniform requirement to implement measures that will ensure safety and security of students.

These include strict screening of visitors, use of gate pass and wearing of school identification cards for teachers and students.

Department of Education regional director for Metro Manila Wilfredo Cabral said no other division office in the region has issued a similar policy. – With Romina Cabrera, Janvic Mateo