The Department of Health (DOH) has prepared ₱10 million in medicines and other items in anticipation of the possible effects of Severe Tropical Storm (STS) “Uwan,” which is about to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

After the agency declared a “Code Blue” or heightened alert status, its personnel have been gearing up to respond to areas expected to be hit by Uwan.

The medicines and other aid procured include:

• Medicines for cough and fever, anti-biotics, and maintenance medicines

• “CAMPOLAS Kit,” or an emergency medical supply kit containing medicines for common ailments such as cotrimoxazole, amoxicillin, mefenamic acid, paracetamol, skin ointment, among other things

• Hygiene kits

• Water containers with clean, potable water

Additionally, Health Emergency Response Teams and DOH hospitals are on standby for immediate deployment to affected areas and regions nearby.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that as of 5:00 p.m., Uwan has been sighted 1,175 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas.

The severe tropical storm packs maximum sustained winds of 110 km/hr near the center, with a gustiness of up to 135 km/hr. It is moving westward at a speed of 25 km/hr.