PASAY CITY HOSPITAL READY TO HANDLE A(H1N1) PATIENTS

Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad yesterday assured the public that the city is prepared for any eventuality that might arise from the eminent Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.
            In a letter to Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Alfonso Cusi, Trinidad said that as the “gateway” of the country, the Pasay City General Hospital has assigned an isolation room at the Emergency Room for suspected Influenza A (H1N1) patients as early as the 1st week of May.
            Influenza A (H1N1), a new virus that resulted from the reassortment of four viruses from pigs, human and birds, was first detected in people in April this year.
In the same letter, he said Pasay City General Hospital has also prepared a 10-bed isolation ward in case the disease will reach an epidemic proportion. The isolation room at the ER and the  isolation ward at the hospital’s 5th floor will be manned by two nurses, two nursing aids and an orderly.
            “We have the nearest hospital from the airport. In case there is a need for airline passengers with suspected Influenza A(H1 N1) virus to be confined, we are ready to assist the MIAA,” Trinidad said.
            However at the moment, he said all suspected A (H1N1) patients are referred to the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Alabang, Muntinlupa.
            “Salamat sa Diyos at wala pa tayong A(H1N1) dito sa ating lungsod kaya nanawagan ako sa ating mga kababayan na maging alerto sa virus na ito at panatilihin ang paghuhugas ng kamay, pagtatakip ng panyo o tissue sa bibig pag ubo. Kaagad mag report sa health centers kung meron mang infection sa barangay n’yo,”  he said.
            Trinidad said he instructed the Pasay City Health Office to closely monitor all public schools in the city for A(H1N1) cases.
            Meanwhile, surveillance nurse Julio Alenjandro Vitug said they are reactivating the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTS)  to intensify the monitoring of A(H1N1) cases in all 201 barangays.  Its functions include the monitoring to new arrivals from A (H1N1) endemic countries, referral of suspected cases to health centers, the quarantine of close contacts of suspected cases at home for a week and the identification and quarantine of exposed persons for a week and the consequent monitoring of signs and symptoms of the illness.
              He said the city has an active surveillance unit with all 14 health centers and four hospitals, the Pasay City General Hospital, San Juan de Dios, Manila Adventist Medical Center and the Air Force General Hospital, providing regular reports on the A(H1N1).
            On the other hand, Dr. Cesar F. Encinares, Pasay City Health officer, said they had intensified information campaign on A(H1N1) and oriented barangay officials since May. The City Health Office already procured personal protective equipment like caps, gowns, surgical masks and N95 masks for the protection of the health workers.
            “We give emphasis on how to boost the immunity level like eating nutritious foods, taking at least eight hours of sleep and to avoid stress, kasi mga tao hindi pareho so iba-iba’ng effect ng Influenza A(H1N1) sa atin,” he explained.
            He appealed to the public to practice cough etiquette such as using a tissue or a hankerchief to cover mouths when coughing or sneezing; the washing of hands and to avoid the holding and kissing of hands.
            “We have a social responsibility. We should cover our mouths when sneezing or coughing so as to avoid spreading the virus,” he stressed.

            Exhibiting the common flu symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, runny nose and sore throat, Influenza A (H1N1) is transmitted through droplets from sneezing, coughing and the touching of contaminated things.