The Ebola outbreak may not have reached the Philippines yet, but that doesn't meant the country should remain complacent, especially since more than 1,500 Filipinos are currently working and living in West Africa, where the virus is killing thousands of people.
In fact, health experts in the country don't want to risk deploying workers to reduce infection in this developing nation.
Two top health leaders-Anthony Leachon of Philippine College of Physicians and Minerva Calimag, the current Philippine Medical Association president-said in separate interviews that sending health workers to West Africa to fight Ebola may not be a good decision, Philippine Star reports.
They believe that by doing so, the government is putting the health workers at risk for infection as well as 100 million Filipinos in the country should one of these workers turn out to carry the virus upon his or her return.
Rather, the government should focus on preventing it from getting inside the country by being vigilant in port or entries including airports.
In the same report, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport's quarantine and emergency services assured the public they are prepared to handle suspected Ebola patients. Aside from disposable suits, they also have standby ambulances that can deliver the patient directly to a hospital for isolation, as well as inflatable tents that can accommodate multiple patients simultaneously. Moreover, they have already created a waste disposal protocol to avoid possible contamination. Passengers who originated from West Africa are also mandated to undergo a 21-day quarantine.
The Department of Labor and Employment has also extended repatriation offers to Filipinos living in the afflicted countries, which included free air fare. They still have to receive a request from these Filipino workers.
According to the World Health Organization, Ebola has already killed over 4,000 people, especially in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea, where the new outbreak is thought to have begun.