In order to stall the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), three universities were tapped by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to set up isolation facilities in their premises.
PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Senator Richard Gordon, in s statement issued Thursday, April 8, announced that the humanitarian organization has enlisted the help of Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU), University of the Philippines (UP), and De La Salle University (DLSU) to set up isolation centers in their respective areas.
“The general objective is to remove the asymptomatic spreader in a multi-generational household, or those families living with grandparents and little children, to avoid getting infected,” Gordon said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Gordon said that these identified individuals will be placed in isolation centers like in Ateneo, La Salle or UP “starting this week so we can provide for them.”
PRC, Gordon said, is ready to install the needed facilities like showers and toilets as well as beds. Other immediate needs such as food will also be provided to those who will be placed in these isolation wards. “They will be taken care of,” he assured.
Moreover, Gordon assured that families of patients in isolation - especially those who are breadwinners - will also be provided with food assistance from PRC and its other partners.
Gordon said that PRC staff and volunteers are already converting 32 ADMU classrooms to isolation units. UP Diliman, on the other hand, also offered 96 dormitory rooms of its newly retrofitted Kamia Residence Hall - which the PRC has started equipping with furniture for a maximum of three patients each.
The PRC, Gordon explained, is also making arrangements for patient monitoring via telemedicine with the help of the Philippine Medical Association and Philippine Nurses Association, Inc., and for immediate ambulance service to nearby hospitals in case of emergencies.