DOH eyes personnel shift from thermal scanner to contact tracing

MANILA, Philippines - As they fine-tune their strategy against the A(H1N1) threat, health authorities are eyeing more personnel for contact tracing of A(H1N1) cases and less for manning thermal scanners. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Tuesday they will also take a cue from the United States and Canada, and focus on the early detection of A(H1N1). "Pag gumagamit ng thermal scan ka, gumagamit ka ng taong imo-monitor ang thermal scan sa paliparan. Gaya nito kung maraming contact tracing baka mas maganda ang taong yan dalhin doon sa contact tracing kesa nakatayo doon at nagte-thermal scan alam natin kung wala kang lagnat lusot ka rin," Duque said over radio dzXL. [If you use thermal scanning, you use so many personnel to man the scanning machines. What we need now are personnel for contact tracing. It would be better to have these people out in the field doing contact tracing instead of standing at the airport and manning thermal scanners that may not detect A(H1N1) if the virus is still incubating.] On Monday, Duque had hinted at doing away with thermal scanners, noting that busy airports in Europe do not use them. But he clarified that in the Philippines, the Health department will likely keep the present scanners but will not likely acquire more machines. "Siyempre ang ating resources ay hindi naman basta-basta, hindi naman sobra-sobra ang resources natin para bumili ng kasangkapan na ang halaga ang value medyo may duda tayo lalo kung maraming bansa hindi gumagamit nito," Duque said. [Our resources are limited. We cannot spend so much on something that may not be of that big a value to us.] Instead, Duque said the Health department plans to boost its health declaration checklist system to keep pace with the US and Canada in shifting from containment to mitigation. "Mas nagfo-focus sila sa early detection kung maysakit at bigyan ng gamot [The US and Canada have shifted their focus to early detection and treatment]," he said. Meanwhile, Duque said the Health department will continue its information communication campaign in malls and other commercial establishments. He said malls can help in coming up with posters on proper hand-washing, cough and sneeze manners, and social distancing. Duque also said his department already released to the Education department school guidelines in dealing with A(H1N1), including ensuring running water and sanitation. - GMANews.TV