RP sets own summit on H1N1 virus next week

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government has scheduled a summit on the Influenza A (H1N1) virus strain on May 13, after a meeting of health ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) this week. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Monday that the summit was initially scheduled for this week but was postponed so it can consider the results of the Asean summit, which is scheduled this Thursday in Bangkok, Thailand. "Para magkaroon ng sapat na paghahanda at para mai-report ko rin ang nangyari sa summit ng Asean sa Huwebes, sa susunod na Miyerkules kami magsa-summit," Duque said in an interview on dwIZ radio. [So we can prepare and take into account the results of this week’s Asean summit, we scheduled the local summit for Wednesday next week.] Duque said representatives from China, Japan and South Korea are also expected to take part in the Asean summit. "Pag-uusapan ang pagtulungan at coordination ng member countries at gagawa kami ng hakbangin upang mapahusay ang plano at pagtugon sa ibang bansa na ibig natin matutunan," he said in a separate interview on dzXL radio. [We will talk about help and coordination among member countries, and we will calibrate our plans. We will also see if we can learn from other countries.] Duque, current chair of the Asean Health Ministers Meeting framework, will preside over the Asean summit. The Philippine Foreign Affairs Department earlier said the meeting will also help prepare for the 62nd Annual World Health Assembly in Geneva from May 18 to 27, 2009. The Asean health ministers might also explore the need to convene the 1st East Asia Health Ministers Meeting to discuss the matter, the DFA said. The Associated Press reported on Monday (Manila time) that according to the World Health Organization’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus has killed 19 people in Mexico and one toddler from Mexico who died in the United States. The number of confirmed sicknesses worldwide was recorded at 934 – 506 of which are in Mexico; 240 in the US; 101 in Canada; 40 in Spain; 18 in Britain; eight in Germany, four in New Zealand, two in Italy, France, Israel, and South Korea; one each in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands. - with Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV