THE Department of Health (DOH)-Davao continues to operate even after the fire razed down its building along Jose P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City last Friday, September 23.
Health assistant secretary Abdullah Dumama Jr. assured the public that the fire incident will not disrupt the operation of DOH-Davao and its personnel from rendering their service.
"The fire will not affect the services, but we ask our clients to bear with us, with the inconvenience, isang pakpak kasi ang natupok so there will be really inconvenience in the operation," Dumama said.
Dumama said that most of the sections, clusters and divisions of the building razed by fire were temporarily relocated within the compound of the DOH-Davao.
"Humihingi rin kami ng dispensa sa local government units (LGUs) natin for there will be delays when it comes to their request kasi yung medicines and other medical supplies natin ay wala na," Dumama added.
Dumama said the fire razed down around P30-million in equipment such as the laboratory tools and teleconference equipment, including the two warehouses wherein medical supplies and equipments were stored.
The fire also burned the newly-refurbished office of the regional director, the local Commission on Audit (COA) office, the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (Resu), procurement office, and family health office, among other offices.
"Pati narin yung important documents nasunog," Dumama said, adding that their personnel have been instructed to help recover the documents and equipment that may still be used by the DOH-Davao.
Dumama said the fire started at around 10:30 p.m., prompting him to contact the 911 for fire responders and that the firefighters were able to control the fire around 1:45 a.m. Saturday, September 24.
No one was reportedly hurt on the incident, only extensive damages on the structures, Dumama said, as he described the fire as one terrible incident.
Dumama said rest assured the DOH-Davao will rise to the opportunity to bring back and build better what had been lost to the fire, adding they also sought assistance from the DOH central office.