Task force to set guidelines on proper use of PPE

Vergeire said healthcare workers face a greater risk of contracting the virus and need medical-grade masks such as surgical and N95 to protect them at work. (PIA file photo)

MANILA – The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Disease is set to come up with guidelines and strategies on the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) amid limited supply globally, a Department of Health (DOH) official said on Wednesday.

“Kaya siya mahalaga kasi ayaw natin makipag-compete pa itong personal na paggamit ng PPE dun sa ating mga tauhan sa ating mga health care facilities. So, kailangan pong maging judicious lang at maayos ang paggamit natin, halimbawa, nasa bahay tayo, we recommend, pwede naman ang paggamit ng improvised masks gaya ng (It is important because we don’t want the personal use of PPE to compete against the use of our staff in our healthcare facilities. So, our use must be judicious and appropriate. For example, when at home, we recommend the use of improvised masks like) cloth masks,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during the Laging Handa public briefing.

Vergeire said healthcare workers face a greater risk of contracting the virus and need medical-grade masks such as surgical and N95 to protect them at work.

While cloth masks do not provide a similar level of protection, these would do in a community setting, the DOH earlier said.

“Sabi nga ang risk naman kapag nasa community ay mababa at sa mga healthcare workers naman po ay napakataas. So, mayroon tayong ilalabas na polisiya and standard for the use of PPE sa iba’t ibang (It is said that the risk in the community is low compared to the [risk faced by] healthcare workers which is high. So, there will be a policy and standard for the use of PPW in different) settings,” Vergeire said.

Telemedicine hotlines that allow the public to consult medical experts have also been launched Tuesday.

Vergeire said the hotlines, which can be accessed 24/7, are not just for Covid-19 related concerns.

“Similar din ang sintomas ng Covid-19 sa ibang sakit, so ang telemedicine, ito po ay makakapag-cover din po ng ibang sakit…ayaw naman po natin pumunta ang mga tao sa mga ospital, mga clinics para lang kumonsulta para lang maiwasan lang din po ang pagkalat ng (The symptoms of Covid-19 are similar with the symptoms of other diseases, so telemedicine, can cover other diseases…we don’t want people to go to hospitals, clinics to prevent the spread of) infection. Telemedicine is consultation from your home so any consultation for medical problems or issues can be done here,” she said.

The Department of Health Covid-19 Hotlines 1555 and (02) 894-COVID (26843) are available nationwide for all Covid-19 related concerns including consultations with our volunteer-doctors from the Philippine College of Physicians and the University of the East-Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center.

In the National Capital Region, residents will be served by the following telemedicine hotlines: Telimed Management and Medgate hotline: (02) 8424-1724; and Globe Telehealth, Inc (KonsultaMD): (02) 7789-8000 (free for Globe/TM users).