PH Red Cross readies staff, volunteers vs monkeypox
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) staff and volunteers nationwide attended a webinar that provided important information about monkeypox as part of the organization's preparation against the virus.
Topics such as how the monkeypox virus spreads, its symptoms, duration, prevention, and treatment were discussed to ensure the organization's staff and volunteers' safety when deployed on the front lines, said PRC.
The Philippines has four confirmed cases of monkeypox infection and two of them have already recovered and been discharged from isolation.
The third and fourth cases are still under isolation as per the Department of Health (DOH)'s announcement on Friday, Sept. 2.
The first confirmed case of monkeypox was announced by DOH on July 29.
PRC assures that it is monitoring the spread of the virus and that its staff, volunteers, operations center, and equipment are always ready in case needed.
"Sinisiguro namin sa Red Cross na ganap ang kaalaman at protektado ang aming volunteers and staff bago sila sumabak sa front lines (We at Red Cross makes sure that our volunteers and staff have enough knowledge and are protected before they respond on the front lines)," said PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gordon.
"Kagaya ng ginawa namin noong 2020, sa Covid-19 pandemic, binigyan namin ng wastong impormasyon at kagamitan, kagaya ng PPE, ang aming frontliners para tiyaking sila ay protektado habang sumasaklolo o tumutulong sa mga pasyente at iba pang taong naapektuhan ng Covid-19 (Just like what we did last 2020 on the Covid-19 pandemic when we gave them adequate information and needed things like PPE to make sure that our front liners are protected while responding to patients and other people affected by Covid-19)," he added.
The webinar, held on Aug. 26, was organized by PRC’s Human Resources Department in partnership with Health Plan Philippines, Inc. (HPPI) and hosted by Dr. Abigail Guinez from HPPI.
The monkeypox virus can be transmitted through close contact with an infected person or animal.
The virus may enter through body openings such as wounds, eyes, nose, mouth, and respiratory tracts.
In an advisory, DOH advised the public to "consistently adhere to the same health protocols as for Covid-19: wear the best-fitted mask, ensure good airflow, keep hands clean, and keep physical distance."