Private hospitals say health facilities ready for monkeypox

MANILA, Philippines — Private health care facilities are ready in case monkeypox enters the country, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPi) said yesterday.

According to PHAPi president Jose Rene de Grano, the spread of monkeypox can be prevented primarily by isolating cases and currently, “all hospitals have isolation facilities or room for infectious cases” owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Presently, what we need are isolation areas if we encounter monkeypox suspects,” he noted in text messages.

De Grano added that hospitals could handle monkeypox cases because, so far, COVID cases are manageable.

“Monkeypox cases usually have milder symptoms than chickenpox, unless the patient is debilitated or immunocompromised,” he said.

He, however, underscored that it is important to recognize the symptoms of monkeypox properly and immediately to effectively control its spread.

“There should be proper recognition of the symptoms referrable to monkeypox, immediate isolation and reporting and management of symptoms. At least 21 days quarantine per guideline,” he added.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease first detected in West and Central Africa.

But recently, cases were detected in non-endemic countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden.

The symptoms of monkeypox include fever, intense headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash or lesions.

No OFW infections

No overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been infected so far with monkeypox, according to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

OWWA chief Hans Cacdac said the agency has not received any reports of monkeypox cases among OFWs from the different Philippine embassies and Philippine Overseas Labor Offices.

“There have been no reports, thank God,” Cacdac said in Filipino in a television interview yesterday.

Cacdac, however, gave assurance that the Philippine government is ready to provide necessary assistance in case overseas Filipinos catch the infection.

OWWA, he said, will also provide livelihood assistance or scholarships to OFWs who will choose to return home for good after getting infected with the virus.

In a separate television interview, Cacdac said the government is readying the list of Filipinos who have expressed their desire to be repatriated from Sri Lanka.

There are about 700 Filipinos in Sri Lanka, but Cacdac said not all are expected to avail themselves of the repatriation program. “Some are in a safe place not affected by the crisis,” he pointed out.

Cacdac said OWWA is closely coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs on the repatriation efforts.

For those who would opt to stay in Sri Lanka, Cacdac said the government is ready to provide financial aid so they could purchase their basic needs.

Cacdac said Filipinos in Sri Lanka are calm and have been advised not to participate in political actions there. – Mayen Jaymalin