Philippines to integrate anti-COVID-19 measures with rest of health programs in 2023

The Department of Health will integrate COVID-19 management into the country's public health programs in 2023, DOH officer in charge Ma. Rosario Vergeire said on Friday.

At a news conference, Vergeire said measures against the spread of the coronavirus disease will be part of the clinical practice guidelines in hospitals starting in January.

“COVID-19 starting January will be integrated already with our other public health programs. It's not going to be a special program anymore," Vergeire said.

"It's not going to be specific to COVID-19 but we would want our healthcare units to be implementing," she added.

Vergeire said this was meant to move away from the mindset of getting paralyzed with fear of the coronavirus.

“It is not just to talk about COVID-19 and its minimum public health standards but now we have integrated this minimum public health standards with the other illnesses to prevent it,” Vergeire said.

Vergeire said measures such as wearing masks, frequent hand-washing, social distancing, and isolating when sick could "also be applied to hand, foot, and mouth disease."

The DOH has said HFMD cases were increasing in Metro Manila.

Vergeire on Tuesday said there were 155 HFMD cases recorded in the National Capital Region (NCR) from October to December 6 —most of them children aged 11 and below. —NB, GMA Integrated News