Use of the WHO Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions after Typhoon Haiyan.

WPSAR Vol 6, Suppl 1, 2015 | doi: 10.5365/wpsar.2015.6.3.HYN_024 www.wpro.who.int/wpsar 18 a Offi ce of the WHO Representative in the Philippines, Sta Cruz, Manila, Philippines. b Region Offi ce 8, Department of Health, Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines. Submitted: 22 September 2015; Published: 6 November 2015 doi: 10.5365/wpsar.2015.6.3.HYN_024 Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines on 8 November 2013 and caused mass destruction;1 health facilities were destroyed or not functioning and medical supplies were quickly exhausted.Afterwards, people with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) were more vulnerable due to lack of health care access.2 This was also reported after the China earthquake where there were high morbidity and deaths from NCDs due to a lack of dialysis, chemotherapy and other medical support for those with an NCD.3