News reports say that the Philippine government is consolidating its response program to prepare the public and health sectors, including health workers in major transit hubs such as airports and seaports, to fight the deadly Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the event that it hits us. However, this still seems inadequate. To fight EVD it is imperative to make our people aware of the facts and myths about the disease, its gravity and how we can protect ourselves from infection. And this information campaign should start with the basic social unit of society—the family. We believe that by this approach we can educate everyone about EVD, especially the poor. We should use flyers, posters and other IEC (information, education and communication) materials and translate their contents into our national language for better understanding.
We also expect to see contingency measures, apart from the three designated hospitals tasked to admit patients possibly infected with the disease. We want to know how the government will support financially, emotionally and mentally suspected EVD victims and their families not only in fighting the virus but also in eradicating the stigma that comes with the disease.
Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin confirmed that our country remains Ebola-free but admitted that the Philippines is not 100-percent ready to fight the virus. On the other hand, she also said that compared to other countries, the Philippines is better prepared.
We expect a massive influx of returning overseas Filipino workers this Christmas season, aside from the tourists coming to our country for the visit of Pope Francis in January. Which could increase our country’s vulnerability to EVD. Now is the time to prepare everyone to fight this international public health threat.
Together with the other countries, international organizations and international nongovernmental organizations, let each of us do our part and act as one to prevent Ebola, one of the Top 5 deadliest diseases known to man, from spreading.
—ANTONETTE ATIENZA, antonette.atienza@gmail.com, ALEXIA BERNS
and RABIA MENTES