MABALACAT CITY – A COVID-19 Home Care System which will manage Mabalaqueños with mild COVID-19 symptoms will soon be rolled out in the city.
Mabalacat City COVID-19 Response Integrated System (CRIS) czar Dr. Jose Antonio Rivera, during his Tatak MCG: Bayung Mabalacat interview aired over RW 95.1 on January 11, 2022, said the approach aims to extend the city’s health management programs for residents afflicted with COVID-19 within the safety of their own homes.
According to Rivera, the system is eyed to prevent medical and quarantine facilities in the city from getting overwhelmed. The approach, which was originally set to be implemented in the city in 2021, has been patterned to that of Canada’s home management for COVID patients.
“Nakita ng ating CRIS secretariat iyong kahalagahan ng home quarantine. Karamihan sa ating mga Mabalaqueños, ang kanilang nararamdaman ay mild symptoms lamang. Kahit mild ito, we should be cautious and ready. We will now be jumpstarting our home care package program. Ito iyong naantalang programa natin last year dahil nag-concentrate tayo sa vaccination,” said Dr. Rivera.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) directs that an asymptomatic patient or those who exhibit mild symptoms shall only be allowed to quarantine at home provided that the patient has his or her own room with bathroom, with proper ventilation, and has oversight medical supervision. Home quarantine may be considered if the patient is not living with a ‘vulnerable’ family member such as senior citizens and person with comorbidities.
Rivera added that the local government will staunchly adhere to the DOH’s guidelines and parameters before allowing a patient to be admitted under the city’s home care program. Households will be subjected to ocular inspection to make sure that home infrastructures are suitable for quarantine, and that no family member will be put at risk.
Under the Mabalacat City Home Care System, all patients will be under the supervision of a designated Rural Health Unit (RHU) nurse and physician who will serve as health management officers (HMO). Regular consultations will be performed through Telemedicine and the emergency hotline number.
Furthermore, patients will also be provided with a home care package that includes a thermometer, a pulse oximeter, and medicines to manage the symptoms of the patient. The city will also be deploying a mobile X-Ray service for patients needing chest imagery reading.
“Ito po ang ating magiging formula upang makatulong sa mga taga-Mabalacat dahil karamihan sa ating mga residente ang kanilang sintomas ay mild lamang. Almost 80% of them would rather stay home at kung ganoon, mayroon tayong serbisyong kailangang ibigay sa kanila bilang tugon ng ating CRIS Program,” the COVID response chief added.
