ILOILO City – The city government is cognizant of the importance of mental health especially among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in quarantine facilities.
It is developing a tele-counseling system to ensure the mental health stability of quarantined patients, said Gab Umadhay, Quarantine Management head.
The city government has tapped the expertise of health professionals and cause-oriented organizations.
According to Umadhay, the system would cater especially to patients red-flagged for suicidal tendencies and self-infliction.
“Naga-pool kita sang professionals para ma-make sure ta nga sustainable ang aton effort,” said Umadhay.
Last year, the city government launched the mental health and resilience project dubbed “GINHAWA”, a measure aimed at averting mental health decline among the youth and the general public amid fears, pressures, anxiety, or stress brought about by the pandemic.
Umadhay, however, said this was not sustained due to lack of manpower.
This time, Umadhay said, they are pursuing tele-counseling. They are currently on “dry-run”.
“Gina-perfect ta pa ang system. Random selection. Indi pwede ma-implement agad-agad nga wala sang proper science kay indi naton gusto nga ang aton patients gina-experiment-uhan ta,” said Umadhay.
Meantime, Umadhay said, quarantine facilities have a 24/7 hotline, on top of nurses, nursing aides, roving doctors and utility workers.
“Kabalo ‘na ang mga pasyente ta sang mga number sang nurses especially ang naga-experience tremors and anxiety. Pagsulod sang patients sa facility gina-assess ta. For patients nga may red flags, may continuous monitoring kita,” said Umadhay./PN
