DOH should unify national efforts against A(H1N1)

DOH should unify national efforts against A(H1HN)

While I appreciate the Department of Health in regularly informing us about the number of victims of A (H1N1) in the country, it should do more serious jobs. A plenty of tasks is at hand for the department other than consistently broadcasting the number of latest victims . The rapid spread of this pandemic influenza seems unstoppable and worse, some of our people are panic-stricken as they run on fumes to buy anti-viral medicines and face masks. DOH should now act and should address this with a unified national effort. It should now make specific and strategic plans on how to mitigate the number of victims or cushion the impact of this dreaded disease.

On the national front, DOH should lead in creating a national commitment and resolve to protect the health interest of the citizenry against this pandemic influenza. It should now issue common guidelines with emphasis on non-medical interventions to schools, malls, churches, offices, movie houses and other public places in order to address this health hazard. In other words, it should unify the efforts of all sectors in their response to this A(H1N1) problem. For instance, in schools, DOH should propose as a matter of policy that school canteens should serve meals and snacks that would enhance the immune system of the students. Also, it should, in coordination with DILG, issue guidelines on the roles and responsibilities of local government units in relation to inherent dangers and complex threats of this health problem.

My apprehension is that politicians might use the A(H1N1) as an issue or a vehicle for their ulterior motives. If DOH dilly-dallies, then it leaves itself to vulnerable manipulation by these politicians. Instead, it should urge these politicians to appropriate an amount so DOH could stockpile anti-viral medicines. If DOH wait until somebody dies because of this flu, it will be too late. DOH should now take the time to get the game plan in order so that it can begin the action right away. DOH should act now, not later.