THE TWO main health facilities in Itbayat could not be used in the aftermath of the twin earthquakes that struck the island Saturday, with total damage estimated at P47 million, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). In its situational report as of Monday, the NDRRMC said cracks were reported on the Itbayat District Hospital and the Itbayat Rural Health Unit and “both hospitals are no longer functional due to the continuous aftershocks.” President Rodrigo R. Duterte, during the briefing in Itbayat Sunday afternoon with officials of local government units and national agencies, pledged the release of P40 million for the island’s hospital. In the meantime, Department of Health officials reported that doctors from Tuguegarao are going to Batanes to help tend to the seriously injured who have been airlifted to the hospital in Basco island. A team of medical, mental health, and psychosocial support staff will also provide assistance to affected residents.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR