April 15, 2021 — As we pivot to outlive this virus, we learn critical lessons every day in order to adapt to the immense challenges bought by the pandemic. During the second day of the virtual celebration of the National Institutes of Health’s 23rd Anniversary Forum, Department of Health Undersecretary for the Health Regulation Team Dr. Maria Rosario Clarissa Singh-Vergeire presented four guiding principles behind the national government’s response to the pandemic and the strategies employed as we approach the “better normal.”
First principle: We fight against COVID-19 through a multi-sectoral approach
Dr. Vergeire admitted that there were minimal coordination and collaboration between the national and the local governments at the outset of the pandemic. The cascade of information to the local government has not been very dynamic which led to meager awareness and poor compliance with minimum health standards. Hence, national strategies are to be better accustomed at the barangay level to ensure harmonization of all actions.
The DOH spokesperson mentioned the Coordinated Operations to Defeat the Epidemic or CODE approach that support the local governments with clustering of cases. The CODE includes prevention (monitoring and enforcement of establishments), detection (active surveillance, case finding, and contact tracing), Oplan Kalinga (triaging suspect, probable, and confirmed cases to proper facilities), testing, treatment (One Hospital Command), and social amelioration program (family food pack and other day-to-day commodities).
The COVID-19 Vaccine Cluster was likewise formed to use existing organizational and coordination mechanisms which will serve as a system to vaccinate all eligible Filipinos. This cluster is composed of six groups, each led by different government agencies: the Evaluation and Selection by the Department of Science and Technology; Diplomatic Engagement and Negotiations by the Department of Foreign Affairs; Procurement led by the Department of Finance; Demand Generation and Communication by the Philippine Information Agency; and Logistics Management and Actual Immunization Program by the Department of Health.
A Vaccine Expert Panel was created to advise the government on the research and development of vaccines. A Health Technology Assessment Council also aids in determining which vaccine should be chosen based on efficacy and cost-effectiveness. The National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) helps in improving the strategies for health delivery, and the national Adverse Effects Following Immunization (AEFI) gives advice for any adverse events.
Second principle:Science shall inform decision-making at the institutional and individual level
As knowledge about COVID-19 evolves, so should policies and guidelines. Experts in various fields such as infectious diseases, public health, epidemiology, molecular biology, laboratory science, biochemistry, bioethics, and vaccinology are tapped to provide evidence-based recommendations that will form the basis of policies and guidelines.
Third principle: Recognizing limited resources, prioritization is done guided by fairness and transparency
The pandemic illustrates how crucial it is to equip citizens with the right information to adequately protect themselves and their families from COVID-19.
Speculations and misinformation need to be constantly addressed. Communication campaigns were created such as the “Disiplina Brigade” to encourage every Filipino to become a “BIDA Ambassador” (B– bawal ang walang mask at face shield, I– isanitize ang kamay at iwasan ang kulob na lugar, D– dumistansya ng isang metro at limitahan ang interaksyon sa iba, A– alamin ang tamang impormasyon).
Last principle: In the event of any conflict of rules or guidelines, human dignity and the safety and needs of the individuals will prevail
The DOH, together with the DOLE, has released the Guide to the New Normal (Joint Memorandum Circular 20-04-A) for supplemental guidelines on workplace prevention and control of COVID-19. This document describes the minimum public health standards based on DOH’s 5 point strategy vs. COVID, non-pharmaceutical interventions that can be used to reduce transmission, and sector-specific guidelines which will provide key points catering to different sectors and industries.
Dr. Vergeire concluded, in order to stop the transmission of the virus, it is essential that we adapt effectively as this will later on catalyze our country and economy’s recovery. “Transitioning to the new normal refers to emerging behaviours, situations, and minimum public health standards that will be institutionalized in routine practices and will remain until the total eradication of the pandemic,” she added.
Anne Marie Alto | Published in UP Manila Healthscape Special COVID-19 Issue No. 26
