DEHYDRATION ALERT. Six-month-old Windcesz Arella Piala died from severe dehydration at an evacuation center in New Bulatukan, Makilala, North Cotabato on Thursday (Nov. 7, 2019). Local health authorities said the cramped living condition at the evacuation site led to her demise. (Contributed photo of Chris Abo-Abo - DXND Kidapawan)
COTABATO CITY -- A six-month-old baby girl died of dehydration at an evacuation center in quake-stricken Makilala, North Cotabato, local health officials said Thursday.
Municipal health officer Dr. Georgina Sorilla said that baby Windcesz Arella Piala had earlier showed rashes in her body and the manifestation of diarrhea before her demise.
“The parents, with the aid of health volunteers, rushed the child to a local hospital but was declared dead upon arrival,” Sorilla said in a radio interview.
The doctors said the child experienced severe diarrhea due to the cramped living condition inside tents at the evacuation center in Purok Lubi, New Bulatukan, Makilala.
“The lack of safe drinking water and basic daily needs of evacuees in makeshift shelters also added to the child’s deteriorating condition,” Sorilla said.
She advised parents at evacuation centers to coordinate with assigned health volunteers in their location to avoid a repetition of the incident.
“We must help one another in these trying times,” Sorilla said. (PNA)
