Gov’t facilities ready for Ebola—DOH

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday assured the public that government facilities are ready in case the deadly Ebola virus reaches the Philippines.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona told a Senate hearing that the DOH has retrofitted 18 government hospitals nationwide to handle Ebola-stricken patients.

Ona said the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) would be the primary hospital to handle Ebola cases.

He said the RITM, the leading institution for health in dealing with infectious diseases, would be designated specifically as a treatment center together with the Lung Center of the Philippines and the San Lazaro Hospital.

The health secretary said the RITM has diagnostic test equipment to diagnose suspected Ebola patients and has trained personnel capable to treat and contain Ebola cases.

He mentioned that health experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other foreign experts would come to the Philippines to train local health workers advance the fight against Ebola.

Ona, however, mentioned that public awareness is the key to prevent the entry and spread of the infectious virus.

“Raising awareness of the risk factors of Ebola infection and the protective measure individuals can take is the primary strategy in the prevention and containment of the Ebola virus,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said it has acquired protective suits for its personnel to use in the event a person infected with Ebola enters in the country through Philippine airports.
 

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