While civil society groups support the decision of the government to isolate COVID-19 positive individuals to prevent the transmission of the virus, they appealed that patients with no comorbidities but have the capacity to home isolate be exempted from being transferred to a quarantine facility.
In a press briefing Tuesday, various civil society groups in the country issued a unity statement calling on the interagency task force (IATF) to let COVID-19 positive individuals with no comorbidities take isolation at home if they have sufficient capacity to do so in order to prevent “unintended consequences.”
“We fully understand the need to isolate COVID-19 positive individuals to prevent further transmission of the virus. However, we appeal to the IATF to include patients with the capacity to home isolate in the exceptions for required facility-based isolation, in order to prevent unintended consequences, which are not in line with our goal of reducing transmissions,” the health advocates from about 30 civil groups said.
On September 24, the IATF released Resolution No. 74 which contains a provision requiring facility-based isolation for asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients except if the patient has comorbidities and has sufficient capacity to home isolate and if the local government unit has insufficient capacity in terms of available isolation facilities.
The health advocates underscored that the implication of the policy is that even mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 patients with the capacity to home isolate will be required to undergo facility-based isolation if they do not have comorbidities or vulnerabilities.
The Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 (HPAAC) stressed that the policy on mandatory facility-based isolation can lead to an unintended behavior such as patients denying their symptoms and refusing testing.
“Requiring facility-based isolation even for COVID patients with the capacity to home-isolate can lead to their refusal to disclose their symptoms and be tested in order to avoid isolation in government facilities. A policy that encourages hiding information prevents the government from finding and monitoring COVID-19 cases,” HPAAC said.
Dr. Anna Ong Lim of the HPAAC said that there is a possibility that patients with the capacity to home isolate but have no comorbidities might choose to not disclose their illness and refuse testing in order not to be transferred to a quarantine facility.
The health advocates also argued that requiring patients with the capacity to home isolate to be admitted in government facilities will strain government resources and will congest existing facilities, taking away available beds from those whose homes do not meet the conditions required for home isolation.
Arjay Mercado, of the Action for Economic Reforms (AER), said that the capacity of quarantine facilities are limited as well as financing from the government in terms of paying for the services.
“Mahalaga ang pag-prioritize doon sa mas nangangailangan ng isolation facility. Kung papayagan natin ang may capacity na mag-home isolate, malaki ang matitipid in terms of services na ibigay na lang sa mas nangangailangan ng tulong (It is important to prioritize those who mostly need to be in an isolation facility. If we let those who can home isolate stay in their homes, we will save resources in terms of services that can be provided to those who are in need of assistance),” Mercado said.
Given the limited resources, the government should adopt a cost-effective approach by having the facility-based isolation serve the underprivileged with no capacity to home isolate. Funds should likewise be directed towards technological interventions to monitor those isolating at home, the groups said.
“Imbes na gastusan ang may kapasidad to isolate themselves, gamitin ang pondo para ma-improve ang services at ayuda sa manggagawa na apektado ‘pag sila ay nagpositibo (Rather than spending resources for individuals who can isolate themselves, use the fund to improve the services and assistance to workers who would test positive),” Mercado said.
He added that aside from improving the quantity of available quarantine facilities, the quality of services in these facilities must also be prioritized.
“In addition, while we support the decision of the IATF to isolate asymptomatic or mild COVID-positive individuals, we ask that necessary financial and social support be given to them. We express our concern over the current conditions and management of government facilities. COVID-19 patients have experienced issues on hygiene, waste management, gender-based violence, and sanitation in isolation facilities. These issues have to be addressed,” the health groups stated.
They also appealed to the government to give financial support, especially to those who will temporarily lose their source of livelihood to follow isolation protocols.
“Provide care for minors whose parents are undergoing mandatory isolation. Ensure that isolation facilities follow quality standards and have sufficient capacity. Strictly enforce the monitoring of COVID-19 patients in government facilities and those under home isolation,” they said.