What is that full-page newspaper ad from DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III as Health Advisory on Influenza A (H1N1) for? That ought to be a simple waste of public money were it DOH or invariably the Office of the President that paid for this rather useless ad in leading broadsheets Since there is a daily update from DOH on the much-hyped A(H1N1) aired on TV or radio, then that should be sufficient to serve the purpose of public information. In fact, to do more than that should be deemed wasteful spending in which case, the health secretary should be held accountable. Or, why this media blitz at taxpayer’s expense?
The ad listed 11 conditions when patients should consult a doctor for special attention (all written in Tagalog). In any event, any person in his right mind will of course see a doctor when he feels something beyond normal, wouldn’t he? And even a non-doctor could readily see that the 11 conditions are not those really symptoms-specific to the A(H1N1) which is supposed to be what the healthy advisory is for. Perhaps, Duque had in mind raising the alert level on the dreaded virus commonly known as swine flu than it already is what with schools closing operations for 10 days each time there is a reported victim of one or so of their students.
Even the reported death of a 49-year old woman, while confirmed positive for A(H1N1) according to the health secretary, did die of heart disease and pneumonia. But the way it is made to appear is that the unfortunate victim died of the novel virus which may not necessarily be the case. Just yesterday, come to think of it, the headline in the Philippine Daily Inquirer banners that – “80% of flu victims recover” – which is entirely reassuring. And Duque never stopped emphasizing that all the overwhelming majority of cases are only mild symptoms making ‘rapid and full recovery, often without any form of medical intervention’. It makes us wonder now as to – “which is which”? Duque wants to scare us but wants us not to be afraid – something ought to be stupid if not idiotic somewhere.
In fact, in the case of this old woman, Duque is saying on one end that it is a death symptomatic of the virus. But on the other hand, again, he is saying that they cannot conclude that the death is due to a(H1N1), either. For one, the victim has not traveled abroad where she could have caught the virus. Apparently, she died and that a swab test for A(H1N1) was done on request of the family of the victim, which test confirms positive for the novel virus. In other words, not until an autopsy has been done, did they discover a symptom compatible with A(H1N1) on account of flu-like symptoms before her death.
So here we are always introduced to a vicious merry-go-round or roller-coaster ride of a thing not even the health secretary would know with high level of scientific or medical certainty. And surprisingly, no one single medical scientist has ever come into the scene to somehow mitigate the organization-held policy to set the public alarm. For in this state, the larger public all seem at a lost on what they should do other than those often-repeated things like – wash your hands with soap and water, sing Happy Birthday, cover your mouth when coughing, put hankerchief when you’re sneezing, and beware of crowded places and all. Now, there is an emerging habit that schools just unilaterally close their campuses once there is a reported student with the novel virus. Does the health secretary as much as understand the consequences of a recommended 10-day suspension of classes?
How indeed can patients be treated accordingly anyway even if they consult a doctor, referred to any government hospital, and attended to with medical attention when in truth and in fact, the vaccine appropriate to treat the A(H1N1) is yet to be discovered and tested come September? In the meantime, a drug is being recommended to treat the problem as generic or all kinds of influenza. And again, the health secretary is claiming that the best defense against the novel virus is to boost one’s immune system. Oh, God Almighty, how indeed would one boost his own immune system against the real fatal attack of a true A(H1N1)?
So if we all just take plenty of fluids, vitamins and bed rest – we all are going to be fine. Sadly, DOH has made it all appear, quite unwittingly, that the virus is transmitted airborne albeit no scientific studies have yet confirm this claim.
Popularity: 1% [?]
The spread of the H1N1 virus is the most appropriate time to curb several poor Filipino habits such as spitting anywhere and everywhere.
I wish the ads of the DOH would include guidelines telling the jeepney/bus/taxi drivers, vendors and just about everybody else not to spit or even leave their trash just anywhere.
The DOH Advisory failed to connect the dots.
It would have been better if indeed the guidelines did include advise against spitting or any form of excretory habit very common to under-educated Pinoys.
But Duque has been overfixated with pushing the panic button.
I think the DoH is in a thankless position. They didn’t start the flu, they can’t stop it, they must balance awareness with panic-prevention. They must assess risk, when only the virus knows whether or not it will turn deadly. They do have a responsibility to educate the public.
Meanwhile, I risk my life every time I enter the National Highway. A four-year old kid was run down across the street from my home three days ago.
Perspectives . . .
Joe
DOH public awareness campaign is methodologically flawed – not very creative and only raised suspicion that on account of this novel virus, they can close every public place – at will. It raised suspicion that a drug cartel is under construction, et cetera. It sounds like a devil workshop but these are not remote possibilities.
We will never know all the considerations someone in his position has to make to handle an epidemic. He is doing his job.
That’s the way all our public officials should be doing – working – and not grand standing.
can anyone provide a copy of this ad online? I’d like to see this for myself..
i would like to see it too
It is a one full page ad I read in Philippine Star and Philippine Daily Inquirer today but don’t know how to post a copy of it here.
Maybe some more conversant of us here can do it.
Swine Virus will come to you, if you are a swine.