The Palawan Medical Society asks cooperation and understanding from Palaweños in these trying times.
In the recent online press briefing of Palawan Information Office (PIO) last March 30, the Palawan Medical Society, a group of physician in the City of Puerto Princesa and in the Province of Palawan, represented by their President, Dr. Fe Joan Demegillo, sent a message to everyone in order to contain the spread of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“Ang amin po rito ay makipag-cooperate ang taumbayan. Hindi po iiksi ang [ipinatutupad na Enhanced Community] Quarantine kung tayo ay pasaway, lalo lang itong hahaba. Bear in mind, ang Wuhan ay naka-lockdown [pa rin] until now. So, sa tingin mo kaya, may makakain ka o may pera pang panggastos ang gobyerno kung apat na buwan o anim na buwan [din] tayong [nasa] lockdown?” she asked. Dr. Demegillo was one of the invitees of PIO this week. In line with this, she reiterates the importance of observing the social distancing and hand hygiene in the stoppage of the transmission of the virus because according to her, just like what the experts say, the rate of transmission of SARS Cov-2 virus that produces COVID-19 is exponential. “At bakit mahalaga na walang transmission? [Kasi] that’s the only way na walang mabuhay na virus; kung ‘di, walang katapusan [ang problemang] ito,” Dr. Demegillo added.
PMS’ MESSAGE FOR PUIs, PUMs
The president of PMS also explained to Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) and Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs) that amidst the scarcity of test kits unless otherwise the specimens will be sent to RITM, their obedience to home quarantine procedure is very much helpful in order to curtail the situation. Home quarantine is advisable even for PUIs that show mild symptoms or even to those who do not show symptoms or asymptomatic persons. “Kami, as doctors, gusto namin na maintindihan ng lahat kung bakit gusto naming kung pwede lang na mag-home quarantine kung PUM ka, PUI ka, kasi hindi natin alam kung ikaw ay positive ka, kasi walang test. Isa pa, may tinatawag tayong COVID19 positive pero walang nararamdaman,” she pointed out. “That’s why [kung] sinabihan tayo ng government na wear mask at mag-social distancing, kung pwede sana po ay sundin kasi po kahit healthy young adult ka o bata siya, tandaan mo na ang may mahinang immune system, lalo na ang mga may edad at mga may sakit ay pwedeng patayin o maglala sa sitwasyon because of the COVID-19,” Dr. Demegillo further stated. She likewise gave an advice to the youngsters and the young adult alike to obey the precautionary measures, for instance in coughing in order to avoid transmitting the virus to others. “Ang mga young adult, walang pakialam kasi [sasabihin nilang] ‘Bata pa ako’ pero bear in mind na ang isa naming doktor na namatay is only 34 years old,” she said.
PROTECTION FOR MEDICAL FRONTLINERS
Noting also in the case of Italy of which almost 51 of their doctors already lost their lives while in combat with the contagious disease, she said that honesty of the patients about their travel history is likewise very much important in order to protect the frontliners.
“Pag naubusan tayo rito [ng medical doctors], who would take care of you?” she exclaimed. “That’s why ‘yung mga doctor, nag-required sa mga pasyente o mga tao na bawal magsinungaling kasi ‘yung first three doctors namin ay namatay po dahil hindi nagsabi ng totoo ang pasyente sa exposure niya,” Demegillo explained.
Because of the risk brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, she asked the public not to feel bad if their attending doctor wears a mask and full personal protective equipment because that is the only way to protect themselves and their loved ones.
“Pag doktor mo, nurse mo, BHW mo at iba pang health personnel o medtech, kapag sila nagkasakit or sana huwag naman na mamamatay, tandaan mo kung ilang tao ang kaya niyang maserbisyuhan kung buhay siya,” she further said.
And most especially, she pleads to everyone to stop the harassment and stigma againts the medical frontliners.