DOH-ARMM appeals for safe drinking water as child dies in Maguindanao evacuation site

COTABATO CITY – With sadness, the Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) today reported the demise of one of the more than120,000 internally displace persons in Maguindanao.
A 4-year-old male child has died of dehydration due to severe diarrhea in Barangay Libutan evacuation center last Wednesday,Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr, ARMM health secretary, I amsad a child has died,” Sinolinding said.
We have more than 10,000 people in the evacuation center who aresick and the number is rising by the day,” he added.
The child was the first fatality in evacuation center since civilians deserted homes on February 28.He said the most common disease are colds, fever and cough. Some are also suffering from epigastric and hypertension. The heat, the fear, the apprehension have contributed to epigastric pain and high blood among elder evacuees, he said.About 120,000 IDPs are now housed in various evacuation centers in 15 municipalities of Maguindanao since the military launched law enforcement operations against lawless Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
Anticipating the possibility of a major health disaster,Sinolinding appealed for safe drinking water donations from individuals and organization to help the Department of Health prevent the outbreak of any diseases, especially diarrhea.
He said drinking water rationing has started Wednesday to ensureIDPs take safe drinking water.
According to Sinolinding, DOH-ARMM and IPHO-Maguindanao have established 15 health stations with one mini-hospital in Barangay Libutan. An ambulance is on standby.
These health stations are manned by our personnel 24/7,” Sinolinding said.
He said about 2,000 pregnant and lactating mothers are being attended to by health providers to prevent forced labor or forced abortion.