By Leilani S. Junio
MANILA, Feb. 9 (PNA) — The Department of Health (DOH) Rapid Response Team sent to Ebola-stricken countries (Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea) has reiterated for the continued halt on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for health safety purposes.
In a press briefing on Monday held at the DOH Media Relations Unit (MRU) in Tayuman, Sta. Cruz, Manila, the team headed by Dr. Antonio F. Villanueva said that Filipino workers will still face risk if they will be allowed to work in Ebola-hit West African countries.
“While we see that there is a need because there is an appeal for help and need for more health workers, we are also seeing the risk that may result (in sending Filipino workers there),” said Villanueva.
He said there is a mixed sentiments of the OFWs there citing some want to finish their contract and go home, while others still want to stay as they see that the dreaded Ebola virus disease (EVD) has not reached their place of work.
Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin, for her part, said the output shared to them by the team boosted the government’s previous decision to defer deployment of OFWs and also for the pending request of the need for Filipino medical workers to extend medical assistance due devastated medical health system in the said countries.
“The decision whether to send medical health workers is something that we will still need to discuss further with other concerned agencies because of the many concerns involved or may arise if ever,” Garin said.
She cited that much discussion is needed in case the health worker got sick which will require sending patient back here and problem as to who will take care afterwards for such will be putting the lives of the health worker in danger also as well as their family.
“We have to weigh both… That is something that is really hard to decide. But previous decision stays… We will just submit the official findings and await the decision of the majority,” she noted.
She added that aside from recommending a stop in the deployment of workers, the team also recommended continuous practice of 21-day quarantine period for the repatriated Filipino worker.
Garin also lauded the team who were sent to these West African states last Dec. 6 to assess the health care system there.
“The beautiful side of going there (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone) by the team was they were able to make a close comparison and assessment also on the healthcare system and hygiene practices of our country compared to the West African countries,” she said.
She added that the team was able to personally see the difference between the Philippines’ health-care system like presence of rural hospitals, doctors, a system on referral or where the patient will seek treatment, and other forms of interventions needed to be provided.
“Based on the assessment, the people (there) have difficulty in seeking the health remedy because they do not know where they can seek medical help in case they have symptoms,” she said.
She also cited the finding of the team on the inefficient and uncoordinated health care system of the said countries, which added to the confusion and spread of the Ebola virus because it was only recently that health centers and clinics were put-up to respond to the needs of the people.
“In contrast here in the country, also whenever there is an emerging disease/s we are conducting press conferences and provide regular updates which they (West African countries) do not conduct,” she added.
She further said that another advantage point seen during the assessment of the team was the close coordination and communication among hospitals as to where the suspected patients will be sent for referral.
The six-man team came from San Lazaro Hospital, country’s referral center for infectious disease.
Other doctors in the team were: Dr. Albero Ponce Belarmino II, Romulo C. Villamor Jr., Emerson A. Malala, Rhonna Marie A. Fulgar, and Hamilcar Morta.
The team was part of other teams selected by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) from other agencies to look into or observe, assess and provide recommendation on the safety and security of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the West African countries during the heightened alert on the Ebola Virus Disease that killed thousands of people.
Meanwhile, as part of the massive campaign and preparations to ensure that the country continues to be Ebola-free, the DOH conducted series of trainings among government and private hospitals as well as local government units (LGUs) on wearing of Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) and standard protocols on referral of possible or suspected Ebola patient. (PNA)