Wellness break against ‘ghost outbreak’

Once again, the “outbreak” averse Secretary of Health Dr. Ted Herbosa has refused to recognize the disturbing cases of “flu-like” ailments as an “outbreak” just like he did during the last wave of dengue cases.

But as the saying goes, “use it or lose it” and that is what happened when DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara was left with no choice but to declare a “Wellness Break” in order to counter the spread of infections in thousands of schools all over the country.

Declaring a “Wellness Break” was a stroke of genius because the message was positive, “healthy” and timely and, more importantly, addressed a serious public health concern in schools.

Unfortunately for Secretary Herbosa, the DepEd declared “Wellness Break” places the DOH in a bad light and under public scrutiny. Health concerns are under the DOH domain and failure to exercise their authority portrays them as indifferent.

Since two weeks ago, people have asked me if there was a flu epidemic or an outbreak of some kind of viral respiratory disease in Metro Manila. Funny that they should ask a media person instead of the DOH, but I guess that is where the level of public confidence in government is.

What I observed from September to early October is that many friends as well as my own family came down with flu-like symptoms that took weeks to get rid of. I was initially worried that COVID was on the rise, but over-the-counter COVID test kits disproved my suspicion.

Fact is, there are a lot of Filipinos getting sick, bad enough to miss work and worse, they seem to share or spread the “flu-like” symptoms  to other members of the family at home, at work or in school.

The last two weeks have been particularly bad with friends going from flu-like symptoms to actual pneumonia. As expected, people suggested to revert to COVID precautions such as wearing masks and avoiding crowded areas.

If Secretary Herbosa is truly averse to making “outbreak” declarations, he should have been more focused or hyperactive in informing the public that it’s flu season or explained what bug was making the rounds.

I think this is what creates friction between Herbosa, the public and the media. While Herbosa “plays safe,” more and more people get sick, are worried and feel dismissed or ignored. That’s the biggest emotional trigger among sick people.

Unfortunately, Secretary Herbosa was ill-advised to make the rounds inspecting Ghost Hospital projects. That was not a win-win situation for Herbosa because the media exposure also exposed mismanagement in public health facilities.

I understand Secretary Herbosa’s concerns that declaring an outbreak can create fear, panic or misunderstanding of the matter. Herbosa chooses to “err on the side of caution” but it is a serious gamble that could be career ending.

The last time Secretary Herbosa behaved like this was during the time when cases of dengue were rising. Back then Secretary Herbosa said that there was no outbreak and that the unusual number of dengue cases was a seasonal matter.

Then as now, the pressure or expectation for Secretary Herbosa to declare an “outbreak” was in order for concerned LGUs and government agencies to work together to combat the spread of a spreading disease.

This time around the problem is “flu-like” illness and once again, Secretary Herbosa blames it on the rainy season. Critics would say that the cases of infection will eventually be reduced because the public took it upon themselves to “self-care,” no thanks to the DOH.

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The article “We are the New Poor” about the extremely high cost of private health care triggered a lot of reactions from friends and readers. The best one was from a reader who offered to extend financial assistance to the patient mentioned.

While we are grateful for such kind offers, ethical concerns caution us to decline such offers. We resolved the need as best as we could, and I thank the gracious reader.

Other readers shared their personal experience and some, their financial ruin because of cardiac related surgeries, etc. One physician/surgeon revealed that what patients end up paying all depends on the luck of the draw or who you get as a doctor.

Some doctors are kind, fair, even generous. Others are still preoccupied paying car loans on their luxury vehicles or investing in real estate with the money you raised by selling property to pay the doctor. All doctors and hospital fees should be published so patients know what they are getting into ahead of time!

What was constant is if you go to a private hospital, expect to pay for the hospital equipment not just the treatment. Someone even shared her experience in Hong Kong where she received good medical care regardless of her nationality.

The best thing I pray and hope for is for our beloved readers to help change the system by speaking out on the problem, not just lamenting. Yes, private health care is a business, but it should be rationalized, equitable and transparent.

Hospitals and physicians need to be regulated to the extent that setting professional rates is not anybody’s call. Private medical care should not be based on “stature” or ratings like 4- or 5-star hotels!

Hospital stays should also be limited to what is needed, not prolonged!

It is time for Congress and government to better regulate private health care or pump 10 times the money being pumped into public hospitals for all Filipinos!