Another plague hits patients: Lack of direction, security

CEBU, Philippines —  Unless someone initiates some physical fitness activities, asymptomatic patients housed in barangay isolation centers (BICs) in Cebu City are living on an “eat-sleep-repeat” mode for more than the required 14-day quarantine period.

This as they are seemingly left to battle the disease on their own while barangay officials could only do so much as provide food and vitamins for them. The Cebu City Health Department is not reportedly giving specific instructions for them.

Barangay officials and some of the patients from different BICs told The FREEMAN that the way it is, patients are being isolated simply to prevent the virus from spreading, instead of treating them, just like in the hospital setup.

Doctors, on the other hand, are just on-call and attend to only a couple of BICs as some of them are busy with contact tracing.

In a video taken during the re-swabbing of patients at Barrio Luz Elementary School, one of the health officers wearing PPE, said to be a doctor, could be seen confronting a patient who posted these concerns on the social media.

Others claimed the confrontation was only “a joke.”

Dr. Rhoel Dejano, rehabilitation and sports medicine expert, recommended that asymptomatic patients do regular exercise to stay fit. He advised against eat-and-sleep routine.

“They can actually exercise. Better yet, they need to exercise. They can do moderate intensity exercises lang. Minimum of 30 minutes a day, straight or increments of 10 minutes,” Dejano said in an interview.

The exercises, he added, may include brisk walking, dancing, and calisthenics, provided they still keep social distancing, observe hand washing, and take bath after.

“They also have to include stretching and strengthening exercises of the muscles of respiration. That means the muscles in the chest, shoulders and back. Deep breathing and coughing exercises are also good for them,” said Dejano.

Tejero

In Tejero, barangay officials initiate their own exercise activity for the patients and provide them food, according to councilman Randy Gorion. Food from the barangay is welcome because the provisions from the city government sometimes arrive late.

Gorion also said that patients are given their own hygiene kits by the barangay, just like in Barrio Luz.

He lamented having difficulty contacting some of the positive patients. No one from the City Health Department reportedly contacted these positive patients.

Labangon, Guadalupe

In Labangon, a patient in isolation said he and other fellow patients only get some fitness activities if another one takes the lead.

“Sa amoa diri, on time ra ang food gikan sa barangay. Pero kung activities, wala man. Normal ra, sige ra mig higda, sige ra pud mig hatdan og pagkaon sa barangay. Naay Zumba usahay kung naay mo-lead,” the patient, who requested anonymity, said.

Guadalupe barangay captain Michael Gacasan reported the same sentiments.

He said barangay officials and barangay health workers were not given instructions on what to do with the patients, except to be there to attend to their needs such as vitamins and other maintenance medicines.

“Wala may giingon ang City Health. Sila (patients) ra gyud didto. Dako man nuon ang eskwelahan kalakaw-lakawan, walking-walking ra sila. Gipakaon ra sila kada-adlaw didto. Magpada ang City nila og packed meals pero usahay balik-balik na, so maong amo silang lutoan og mga inato like utan, isda,” said Gacasan.

Suba, Mambaling

In Suba, a councilman who had also been isolated together with some tanods and BHWs are leading Zumba-like activity to keep them entertained and fit. They also do steam inhalation as alternative treatment.

In Mambaling, the isolation process remains chaotic, especially on the side of Alaska Elementary School. Two BICs have been put up in the barangay due to the high number of cases.

Alaska Elementary School principal Nelson Badana expressed concerns regarding safety of the patients and school properties due to the “absence” of security forces in the area.

Badana said he wrote a letter to Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella already but was afraid it won’t reach the mayor on time. Thus, he hopes that Councilor Edu Rama, who has been assigned to oversee the area, will help them out.

Badana said the school’s security guard has asked to take a rest after four straight days of work.

Drug activities at BICs?

Patients in both BICs in Mambaling were seen going “in and out” of the school. Some reportedly return to their homes to get appliances as they “were bored” at the school.

Badana is worried that school properties might be damaged or stolen without men in uniform in the vicinity.

He also cited some reports that the school premises are used for illegal drug activities, which may continue if unguarded.

“Ang mga pasyente, sulod-gawas ra. Grabe pa gyud ang kawat diha, unya naa pay mag-drugs sa likod. I have been calling the attention of the barangay officials pero kani ra gyung si Owen Atillo (councilman) ang motubag nako,” said Badana.  JMD (FREEMAN)