Infection control measures must be strengthened amid call for 'time out' —doctors' group

Aside from placing Metro Manila under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) anew, the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) on Sunday also called for the strengthening of infection control measures being observed by the public to further prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and eventually lessen the burden of doctors and other healthcare workers.

PCP president Dr. Mario Panaligan made the remark after various medical associations called for a "time out" as health workers were already worn out due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases being admitted in hospitals.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, Panaligan reiterated the call to place Metro Manila under ECQ anew as health workers are already overwhelmed by the number of COVID-19 patients they treat on a daily basis.

He said that while there are proposals to increase the bed capacity of hospitals, the problem lies with the already exhausted medical staff.

"Hindi naman ibig sabihin na ang tawag namin ay ECQ, 'yun lang ang gagawin. Kasama doon 'yung pagpapalakas ng pamamaraan para sa infection control, para makaiwas lahat ng tao. Kasi importante diyan 'yung mga tao na bago pumunta ng ospital, siyempre maiwasan muna nila 'yung sakit," Panaligan said.

"Kasi sila 'yung nakakadagdag ng trabaho ng mga doktor at nurses. Hindi lang 'yung ECQ. Pati pamamaraan," he added.

In calling for the return of Metro Manila to ECQ from August 1 to 15, medical associations in the country are hoping to "recalibrate strategies against COVID-19," according to the joint letter read by Philippine Medical Association president Jose Santiago in a virtual press conference.

“Health care workers are united in sounding a distressed signal to the nation. Our healthcare system is overwhelmed,” Santiago said.?? “We have witnessed a consistent rise in the number of infections in these among other scenarios prompts us to act now and act fast.”

Panaligan said the Department of Health (DOH) should take the lead not only in the government's response to the COVID-19 crisis in the country but also in addressing the concerns of the healthcare workers.

"Sabi namin sana 'yung pinakatuktok na namamahala diyan ay DOH. Sabihin natin, 'yung IATF nag-uusap palagi 'yan, every week. Pero siyempre kalat-kalat ang mga suggestions nila," he said.

"Pangangalagaan din nila 'yung kabuhayan ng mga tao nila. Pero siyempre importante rin ang buhay bukod sa kabuhayan ng mga tao," Panaligan added.

The DOH on Saturday said it is already in discussion with health workers to figure out strategies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, amid calls of the medical community to revert the Metro Manila to ECQ.

For his part, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he would put forward medical frontliners' suggestion to the IATF.

Members of the Cabinet and the IATF gathered Saturday night to discuss the concerns raised by the medical community. The meeting was called by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, according to Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.

Meanwhile, Food and Drug Administration director Eric Domingo said that when it comes to vaccines against COVID-19, at least six are already in Phase 3 that are already being tried on a considerable number of people.

"Ibig sabihin na-check na siya na mukhang safe naman at nag-elicit siya ng immune reaction sa mga nabakunahan. Kaya nag-phase 3 na," he said in a separate Dobol B sa News TV interview on Saturday. 

"Merong anim na nasa phase 3 na. Talagang napakabilis ng development na ito. At ang target ng ibang kumpanya is by the end of the year e magkaroon na sila ng emergency use na license," he added.

As of Saturday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 98,232. Of this number, recoveries totalled 65,265 while the death toll was at 2,039. —KG, GMA News