Safety of Health Care Providers in the Midst of COVID19 Pandemic in the Philippines and PPE needs

COVID19 Pandemic in the Philippines – COVID19 affects a significant geographical areas of the Philippines and a large percent of the population (1,545 confirmed cases and 78 deaths as of March 30, 2020; 2084 confirmed cases and 88 deaths as of March 31, 2020)

As of April 1, 2020

Health Care Providers - physicians, nurses and other paramedical staff

Safety of Health Care Providers – not being infected, not dying of COVID19 infection

Best strategies – mindfulness and vigilance and learning from others; protective personal equipment; and safe care for self when managing patients.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) - protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from COVID19 infection.

Challenges of PPE – shortage of supplies and no or inadequate funds to buy

Health care institutions needing PPE – rural health units, infirmaries and hospitals

First line of defense in terms of health institutions controlling COVID19 pandemic = FIRST LINE – rural health units; LAST LINE - hospitals

Degree of inadequacies of PPE in health care institutions from highest to lowest: rural health units; infirmaries; provincial government hospitals outside metrocities; government hospitals in metrocities; private hospitals

Health care institutions needing the greatest PPE donations: rural health units, infirmaries and provincial government hospitals outside metrocities

This situational analysis led me to embark on the following projects as my contribution to the fight against the COVID19 pandemic in the Philippines with the help of donors (friends and patients) [ROJDonors].

  • ROJDonors-MuRelief-HelpThru Against COVID19 for Rural Health Units (inclusive of infirmaries)

  • ROJDonors-MuRelief-HelpThru Against COVID19 for Provincial Government Hospitals outside Metrocities

ROJDonors (target P2M for the 2 projects) (donors coming from friends and patients)

Collaborating and coordinating with UPCM Mu Sigma Phi Alumni (doctors) currently working in the rural health units and provincial government hospitals (Mu alumni -doctors will serve as Mu Relief Coordinators)

Collaborating with HelpThru.Phi who will buy, package, and deliver the PPE to the selected rural health units and provincial government hospitals.

Channel your donations to HelpThru.Phi, either in cash or in kinds.

After donating through bank, scan or screenshot the deposit slip that should contain clearly your name and REYNALDO O. JOSON (for tracing and accounting purpose).

Specific guidelines:

Priority will be given to rural health units and provincial government hospitals with Mu Sigma Phi alumni doctors who can serve as Mu Relief Coordinators.

The PPE will be handed over to the Mu Relief Coordinators who has the discretion on how to make the best use of the PPE.

The Mu Relief Coordinators will have to submit a report on the use of the PPE as well as their COVID19 Control Program.

Each rural health unit selected will be given 25K to 50K worth of PPE depending on their needs and depending on availability of donor funds.

Each provincial government hospital selected will be given 50K to 75K worth of PPE depending on their needs and depending on availability of donor funds.

ROJDonors-MuRelief-HelpThru Against COVID19 for Rural Health Units (inclusive of infirmaries)

ROJDonors-MuRelief-HelpThru Against COVID19 for Provincial Government Hospitals outside Metrocities

Packages of Assorted PPE to be donated to RHUs and Provincial Government Hospitals (item and quantity may change depending on supply) (also NOT ALL RHUs and PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS may be served - depending on availability of funds and prioritization of needs and presence of MU Relief Coordinators)

ROJDonors-MuRelief-HelpThru Against COVID19 for Rural Health Units (inclusive of infirmaries)

Launched - March 29, 2020

Initial recipients of support:

  • Dr. Johna Mandac - Dinalupihan, Bataan

  • Dr. Lorenzo Maria de Guzman - Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi

  • Dr. Patrisha Quema - Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte

  • Dr. Anne Dominique Asis - Pintuyan, Southern Leyte

  • Dr. Kaka Bulong - Sallapadan, Abra

ROJDonors-MuRelief-HelpThru Against COVID19 for Provincial Government Hospitals outside Metrocities

Launched - March 30, 2020

Initial recipients of support:

  • Dr. Perry Lustre - Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center

  • Dr. Glenn Hidalgo - Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center

Dr. Christian James Nazareth

1. Sta. Monica Municipal Hospital

Sta. Monica, Siargao Island, Surigao del Nortr

2. Del Carmen Municipal Hospital

Del Carmen, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte

3. Siargao District Hospital

Dapa, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte

4. Socorro Municipal Hospital

Socorro, Bucas Grande, Surigao del Norte

5. Pilar District Hospital

Pilar, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte

ROJ@20apr1