MANILA, Philippines - Health Undersecretary Janette Garin admitted on Monday that the Philippines is not 100 percent ready for the fight against the dreaded Ebola virus.
"We are not 100 percent ready but if you compare the Philippines with the other countries, we are better prepared," Garin said during an interview with ABS-CBN News.
The Department of Health has allocated P500 million for upgrading the laboratory of the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) to contain Ebola if it enters the country.
The RITM, Lung Center of the Philippines and San Lazaro Hospital will serve as Ebola centers once the virus reaches the country.
Employees of the Lung Center recently staged a protest, citing that they are not yet prepared for Ebola due to lack of facilities and training.
Garin said that there was not much consultation with Lung Center employees prior to announcing that they will be receiving Ebola patients.
"Again, it boils down to fear and panic complicate the whole situation," said the acting DOH chief.
At least 142 Filipino United Nations peacekeepers from Liberia will undergo 21 days of quarantine once they arrive in the country this month. Families of said peacekeepers will not be allowed to welcome them as they will be put in isolation.
"It's a little sacrifice that they will make just because they want to be part of making the Philippines Ebola-free," Garin said.
The DOH has not announced yet where the peacekeepers will be brought for isolation.