WHO evaluates AH1N1 response actions in Region 8
Tacloban City (July 7) -- Representatives of the World Health Organization are in Tacloban City in order to tackle the issue of A (H1N1) in Region 8. The WHO representatives arrived before noon of July 27 from Manila. They are Mr. Craig Davis, Dr. Daisuke Onozuka, Dr. Raika Tamake and Dr. Hitoshi Oshetani.
The meeting of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council of Eastern Visayas held at the Rotary Center in Tacloban City, was attended by the member agencies, local government units, government hospital managers and directors of private hospitals in Region 8.
Department of Health Region 8 Director Edgardo Gonzaga informed the participants that this becomes imperative as the Region ranks third in the number of AH1N1 cases in the country where Samar is first and Region 3 and Region 8 are far second and third.
The DOH 8 Director, who is the AdHoc Regional chairman of the RDCC for the AH1N1 issue, said that the WHO representatives will also go to other Regions of the country most affected by the virulent virus.
The Influenza A(H1N1) response actions in Region 8 which is already in place, was presented by Director Gonzaga who is the Regional Crisis Manager, informed that the Region has created the Regional Influenza A(H1N1) Task Force. The Regional Crisis Managers are authorized to manage all matters relating to the effects of the A(H1N1) flu in the Regions and the entire populace.
The Regional Health Emergency Management Mitigation Response Plan was presented by Atty. Anabelle C. De Veyra who is the Regional HEMS Coordinator of the Department of Health in Region 8.
After the presentation of the AH1N1 situation in the world by Mr. Craig Davis, an open forum was conducted where the participants made clarifications on various aspects of the issue.
The representatives of various private hospitals in the Region informed that the Philhealth only recognize the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center as the referral hospital for AH1N1 in the Region.
Another issue is the funding to be used by the local government units in preparing and in mitigating the Influenza AH1N1 threat in their respective localities.
The first issue which was presented is communicating AH1N1 situation in the Region. The Philippine Information Agency suggested for regular media briefings so that the media practitioners will get accurate data and facts and not rely on sources which are not official. (PIA 8) [top]
