Health Issues

AH1N1 Is Good For Philippines Tourism?

World Health Organization (WHO) had received reports that there are 33 countries have officially reported 5728 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection. Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) reported 46 cases, which 39 have negative results while 7 have still pending results.

Given the figures of WHO’s reported confirmed countries and patients around the world, Philippines is still blessed for having zero AN1H1 patient as of this writing. Remember that DOH is still monitoring 7 possible patients, we are not totally free.

Some countries have warned their citizens from going to AN1H1 infected countries, we do. And since we do not belong to infected countries, tourism is still ok. Filipinos prefer to travel within our country instead of going to our countries for fear of virus infection. A friend of mine who’s family spent their summer vacation in US yearly but change their plan this year. She could be one of other pinoys who thinks the same way. And their major reason is AH1N1 virus.

Come to think of it, if Philippines is still AN1H1-free country, we became one of the tourist destination of other countries. That’s good to our economy. What if they came from infected countries? Some of the 46 cases reported by DOH were admitted by private hospitals and not by DOH hospitals. Does it mean that they were negative when they passed through thermal scanners?

I still hope that the remaining 7 patients’ results will turn out negative.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Department of Health (DOH) might be busy monitoring and avoiding the entry of the virus in the archipelago but they never forgot that the month of May is Cervical Cancer Month. Last March, I post an article about Advocacy For Cervical Cancer when I attended a seminar.

Since we are celebrating the Cervical Cancer Awareness Month this month, many women didn’t know that DOH prepare their activities for this month. I might register and attend the open forum on May 22, 2009. They also have FREE cervical cancer screening. I hope they also have discounted HPV vaccines. This seminar is open for women from ages 15 to 45 years old. Don’t forget that you have to register first on May 12-15 in the following participating hospitals:

• Amang Rodriguez Medical Center (Marikina)
• Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital (Sta. Cruz, Manila)
• East Avenue Medical Center (East Ave., Quezon City)
• Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital (Caloocan City)
• Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (Sta. Cruz, Manila)
• Las Piñas City Medical Center (Las Piñas City)
• Quirino Memorial Medical Center (Quezon City)
• Rizal Medical Center (Pasig City)
• Valenzuela General Hospital (Karuhatan, Valenzuela City)
• Tondo Medical Center (Balut, Tondo, Manila)
• Davao Medical Center (Davao)
• Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (San Fernando, La Union)
• Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (Cebu City)

Register and choose a hospital near you. Remember, its FREE. I will update this post after I register.

NO VIP Exempted To Thermal Scanner

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in coordination with the Bureau of Quarantine and the Department of Health, is serious on protecting the public against the A(N1H1) virus by being vigilant on prevent the entry of the deadly virus in the Philippines. NAIA terminals are already equipped with thermal scanners in 2003 during the peak of SARS scare.

Every passenger should pass through thermal scanner followed by a foot bath. They also have to fill out medical advisory forms as a standard procedure at NAIA. Although thermal scanner can only detect person’s high temperature (fever and/or flu), it might not be that accurate. What if the person just took his medicine just in time to have negative result in thermal scanner? Its a small possibility though. At least we have thermal scanners in the Philippines. If thermal scanner detects a positive passenger, temperature will be confirmed orally. And further test will be handled by designated hospitals in coordination with DOH.

Even President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her delegates pass through thermal tests when he came home from Syria and Egypt recently. In a way, this is to show that there’s no VIP will be exempted since the safety of the nation is at stake. How about Pacquiao? Lets wait and see tomorrow.

NAIA Chief Alfonso Cusi also ordered purchase 5 thermal scanners to boost its capability for scanning arriving and departing passengers. How about other airports and piers? Face masks for airport employees? They are exposed to possible virus, we can never tell.

NAIA is also temporarily suspending until further notice, the issuance of access passes to the public for the purpose of sending off and meeting passengers at the NAIA.

Pacquiao Will Return Home Friday

Its definite, amid the AN1H1 scare, despite the DOH (Department of Health) and World Health Organization (WHO) request to Team Pacquiao to postpone their travel, rain or shine, Manny Pacquiao will return home as scheduled tomorrow (Friday).

I have no idea how many is Manny Pacquiao’s entourage but the recommendations is to avoid the possible spread of A(N1H1) virus in the archipelago. “Kung wala ka naman sipon, lagnat, bakit ka ika-quarantine (Why would we impose self-quarantine when none of us has colds or flu),” Pacquiao said.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced that the national day of celebration in honor of Pacquiao would be moved from Friday to Monday next week. Meanwhile, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, Pacquiao’s adviser reportedly said that there will be a press conference when Team Pacquiao arrives and will attend a Thanksgiving Mass in Quiapo Church afterwards. To Pacquiao supporters, please avoid close contacts to Team Pacquiao.

As of this writing, typhoon Emong was raised to Signal no. 1 in Manila so its impossible to have a victory parade. In a way, its a blessing to avoid people from seeing Pacquiao especially in Quiapo Church and airport. Well, I just hope Team Pacquiao will pass by thermal scanners.

2 Cebu Patients Being Tested For N1H1

The thermal scanner in Mactan-Cebu International Airport detected a Filipino traveller had fever. He came from Ireland and had a stopover in HongKong with his wife. The fever was later confirmed by using oral thermometer. Hongkong already have its 1st N1H1 case and the 1st in Asia.

Meanwhile, a Caucasian female accompanied by her husband volunteered to be check for the said virus. They arrived last week from Mexico, the most number of affected by swine virus. Both patients stayed in separate isolation room in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for test.

Department of Heath Secretary told the media that that specimens will be brought to Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila and result will be out within 72 hours or 3 days.

Let’s hope and pray that they are negative from N1H1 virus. They came from Hong Kong and Mexico, aren’t they using thermal scanners for departing passengers? Philippines should have additional scanners for departure areas to prevent the spread of the virus, including piers and other means of transportation.