- The IMSS activated the protection protocols in 29 medical and hospital units near the Popocatépetl Volcano.
- According to the National Civil Protection System, phase 3 of the yellow alert is maintained.
- Volcanic ash fall can cause lung damage to children, the elderly and people with illnesses, including those who suffer from severe respiratory problems.
During the last days a news has captured the attention throughout the country. It’s about the activity of the Popocatépetl volcano and therefore the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) He has just published a statement to express his position. All part of the fact of the location of several of his units.
IMSS keeps its services open
The first and most important thing is that it guarantees the continuity of your medical services in your Ordinary Regime and in the program IMSS-Wellness. This is a priority attention in these moments of volcanic contingency. In the same way, its nurseries, offices, Vacation Centers and administrative buildings remain enabled.
The head of the IMSS Civil Protection Technical Coordination, Dr. Elizabeth Hernández Borges, stressed that constant communication is maintained with the medical units and Social Security facilities to follow up on the protocols for evacuation, withdrawal and contingency care in accordance with the level of Popocatépetl Volcanic Alert Traffic Light.
He pointed out that since the activation of the emergency, tours were carried out in coordination with the Decentralized Administrative Operation Bodies (OOAD), with those responsible for Civil Protection activities and with the medical area to identify risk areas and through the Internal Civil Protection Program reinforce activities through the protocols.
“The instruction that our general director gave us is to review these protocols, explain to the workers what the phases of this alert are, so that they know and can foresee the continuity of operations and attention in the event that it is required in a new activation.”
Main medical units at risk
Elizabeth Hernández explained that the high-risk zone located between 11 and 14 kilometers near the Popocatépetl volcano in the state of Puebla, there are four Rural Medical Units (UMR) that belong to the IMSS Well-being program.
It added that the medium risk zone, which is from 15 to 60 kilometers, identified 226 properties located in this radius in the states of Mexico City, the State of Mexico, Morelos, Puebla and Tlaxcala.
The IMSS Civil Protection technical coordinator added that at the low risk point, which is located between 60 and 90 kilometers from the Popocatépetl volcano, 486 properties have been identified.
He indicated that the workers of the medical units and facilities of the IMSS are also prepared for the continuity of operations, “either on site if the distance to the volcano allows them, or precisely the transfer and support to state governments through the Municipal Civil Protection Councils”.
He stressed that the Social Security properties that provide the medical service are currently active, have constant, permanent care and as it is offered daily, and also health care is promoted through the use of face masks in the face of ash fall volcanic that generates affectations in the respiratory tract, in sight or even in the skin.
IMSS recommendations for the population near the Popocatépetl volcano
The head of the IMSS Civil Protection Technical Coordination, Dr. Elizabeth Hernández Borges, pointed out that the population living in the vicinity of the Popocatépetl volcano must follow the instructions of the local authorities, which include knowledge of evacuation routes, “it is an activity that they do on site, house by house and it is important to be prepared”.
He said that scientists have reported that regardless of the level of the Volcanic Alert Light, the ash fall is expected to last for several weeks, additionally the rainy season is present and in the coming days there will be a change in the direction of the winds.
“Combined these three factors means that we must be prepared for rainy conditions and ash conditions, which is an abrasive material but if combined with water it becomes a paste and this can clog drains, drains and collapse roofs” .
In this sense, Dr. Elizabeth Hernández commented that one of the main recommendations issued by the IMSS Civil Protection Technical Coordination is to clean houses and offices, but avoid dry sweeping. It is recommended to use a sprinkler to moisten the ash and later collect it.
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IMSS activates protection protocols in 29 medical and hospital units near the Popocatépetl Volcano
