The Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department received a donation of 10,000 doxycycline capsules from Bell-Kenz Pharma Inc. to protect frontline responders from health hazards caused by floodwater exposure during ongoing rescue and relief missions.
The aid comes at a critical time during the rainy season, when emergency personnel routinely wade through flooded streets to assist impacted communities.
According to the DRRM department, the medication serves as prophylaxis against leptospirosis—a dangerous bacterial infection transmitted through water or soil contaminated with animal urine, particularly from rats.
City officials expressed gratitude to Bell-Kenz Pharma Inc., emphasizing that the preventive medicine directly safeguards the health of frontline responders.
The department noted that private sector partnerships significantly strengthen Manila’s disaster response operations while prioritizing worker safety amid severe weather conditions.