By Dr. Jeremy K. Calica & Scherazede S. Alonzo, R.N.
People have known that “Health is Wealth”. However, a new Chinese coronavirus has spread and continuously infecting humans in various countries. This disease does not respond to anti-biotic treatment and is deadly. Many have been affected and panicking though reports confirmed that Filipinos are still safe from being a victim of this infectious disease.
Prevention is better than cure (Desiderius Erasmus). Schools Division Office of Olongapo City, School Health and Nutrition in partnership with the City Health Office recently initiated and conducted an awareness campaign on 2019 Novel Coronavirus at Nellie E. Brown Elementary School. 115 School Health and DRRM Coordinators attended this particular awareness campaign as they are expected to cascade and reiterate measures to be done by the DepEd Personnel in preventing the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. What they need to do is to coordinate with the Barangay Officials to officially conduct their own symposium to be done per school so that the objective of this awareness campaign may completely be achieved. Its objective is to equip the School Health Coordinators and DRRM Coordinators with the precautionary and preventive measures to be done in schools regarding the 2019 novel Coronavirus.
The program was started by imparting the background of the novel Coronavirus which was discussed by the Health Education and Promotions Officers namely Ms. Joyce Angelica Watson and Ms. Dian May Pecson. Dr. Jeremy K. Calica shared the Measures for Prevention and Control of the 2019 NCOV in Basic Education Schools and Offices. For the succeeding parts of the discussion, Ms. Scherazade S. Alonzo reiterated the Activation of the DRRM Teams, Operationalizing the Preventive Alert System in Schools and the Safety Precautions and Protocols. An open forum was executed to elaborate questions and further identify the understanding of the participants.
It is expected that participants need to re-echo or collaborate with the City Health personnel to provide such activity in school level and submit reports on referral if symptoms of coronavirus have been identified.
This undertaking would not have been successful without the presence and assistance of the Technical Working Group namely Romina D. Resultan, R.N., Mary Ann A. Hilario, R.N., Shiela Marie S. Pana, R.N, Jane B. Chen, R.N, Paulita C. Acosta, R.N., Ruby Anne M. Bayla, R.N., Richard U. Elacio, DMD, Willianne Grace U. Cajudo, DMD.
