Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin (PPAB)

Former Department of Health (DOH) secretary-turned-Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin has expressed confidence in the Philippines' ability to "contain" monkeypox (mpox). 

"We had a similar situation before and we were able to contain it. Hence, people’s awareness and participation is very important," Garin, a deputy majority leader, said in a statement to reporters on Tuesday, Aug. 20. 

On Monday, Aug. 19, it was reported that the country recorded its first case of mpox since the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration of a public health emergency of international concern. 

The infected person, a 33-year-old man, had no travel history, said incumbent DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa. 

"We laud the early reporting and detection of the recently diagnosed mpox case. Handwashing, and proper hygiene including non-sharing of personal necessities is very important. Active surveillance via our healthcare workers is very important," Garin said. 

At any rate, the ranking congresswoman says that caution against stigma and discrimination on mpox is very important. 

Garin says that testing centers are available and anti-virals "have possibly been prepositioned". 

"Vaccination among the vulnerables and immunocompromised can be considered depending on global recommendations," she noted. 

Garin also batted for the activation of the six regional testing centers with Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) as the national reference lab, where early detection and prompt management can be facilitated. 

She further said that free antivirals for patients must be prepositioned at DOH Regional Medical Centers.