- The DOH and the Comelec signed an agreement to put up health stations in select polling centers
- 10,000 health workers will be deployed to provide free medical assistance to voters and election workers on election day
- A total of 2,000 health stations will be put up nationwide
The Department of Health (DOH) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday, March 7, to set up health stations and deploy health workers in select polling centers nationwide to provide medical aid to voters and election workers come election day on May 9.
Under the MOU, the DOH will put up 2,000 health stations in polling centers with high density populations and with large number of persons with disability and senior citizen voters. Each health station will be manned by at least five health workers.
In a press briefing, Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said: “The partnership seeks to provide free basic first aid assistance, essential medicines, and access to emergency medical help to voters, election workers, volunteers, and other groups on Election Day.”
“This is in accordance with the objective of the Comelec to enhance the voting experience as it will ensure the comfort and convenience of voters, thereby increasing the possibility of having a higher voter turnout,” he added.
Health Secretary Janette Garin said the DOH is deploying 10,000 health workers. She said the health department is prepared to field more workers if asked by the Comelec.
Garin said among the health problems they expect to encounter are high blood pressure, dizziness, fatigue and hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
The DOH earmarked P37 million for the health stations’ operational expenses. Each health worker will be paid P400 for their service. Another P10 million was allocated as stand-by fund for the hospitalization and treatment of election workers.
The funds will be sourced from the DOH savings, quick response funds and the health department’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, Garin said.
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