Senate to Hold Hearings on Ebola Preparedness

MANILA – Senator Teofisto Guingona III said he will conduct hearings on the preparedness of the country against the spread of the Ebola virus.

Guingona, who is also chair of the Senate Committee on Health, said: “We will conduct these hearings, not to sow panic, but rather to gather everyone involved and ensure that all concerned government agencies are synchronized in their efforts and are prepared in dealing with this disease.”

He said the issue is a multi-faceted one that would require the help of all sectors.

The hearings will start on October 22.

Resource persons include Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen Gregorio Catapang, etc.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said nearly 3,500 Filipinos work in West African countries, those hardest hit by Ebola.

The Philippine College of Physicians earlier urged the government to build new areas where returning Filipinos can be accommodated when the alert level on the Ebola risk will be raised.

In a statement, PCP President Anthony Leachon said: “We should prepare all hospitals of whatever level, to make sure health personnel and all health facilities are prepared to handle suspected cases of Ebola.”

“We need to build new areas where the 3,000 Filipinos coming home from West Africa in November can be accommodated when the alert level is raised, and in anticipation of the Christmas holiday season.”

(Source: ABS-CBN NEWS)