Hospitals within Metro Manila and in surrounding areas have raised the White Alert in preparation for the Traslación on January 9.
The Department of Health (DOH) said in a statement that the move was to ready medical facilities and personnel in the national capital and in regions like Central Luzon and CALABARZON for health emergencies and incidents which may occur at an assembly of such a large scale.
According to church officials, approximately 6.5 million devotees attended last year’s Traslación, the ceremonial transfer of the image of the Jesus Nazarene from the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo Church.
Medical teams have also been posted in health stations along the Traslación route, such as the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, SM Manila, and Ayala Bridge, in coordination with DOH partner agencies and the Manila local government. Additional manpower from 20 DOH hospital’s Health Emergency Response Teams will also be mobilized.
“Ang mga itinalagang health station sa kahabaan ng ruta ng Traslación ay magbibigay ng basic at advanced care ayon sa pangangailangan. Nakaantabay rin ang mga ambulansya para sa agarang pagdadala ng mga pasyente sa ospital. Ang mga pasilidad tulad ng JRRMMC, TMC, at iba pang ospital ng DOH sa NCR ay handang tumanggap ng mga pasyenteng nangangailangan ng mas masusing atensyong medikal,” the health agency said.
(The health stations assigned along the length of the Traslación route will provide basic and advanced care as needed. Ambulances are also on standby for the immediate transport of patients to the hospital. Facilities like the JRRMMC, TMC, and other DOH hospitals in the NCR are ready to receieve patients in need of more thorough medical attention.)
The DOH has also urged devotees who are feeling under the weather to avoid participating in the procession.
“Hinihikayat ang mga deboto na kung may ubo o sipon at hindi maganda ang pakiramdam, iwasan na muna ang magpunta sa Traslacion para hindi lumala ang kondisyon at mapigilan ang pagkalat ng sakit,” it said.
(Devotees, if with cough or colds and feeling unwell, are encouraged to avoid attending the Traslación so as not to aggravate their condition and prevent the spread of disease.)
The Code White Alert began on Monday and remains until Friday, the day following the procession.
