BACKGROUND

State universities in the Philippines should comply with the 2020 Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards for government workers and must be guided by the 2017 ASEAN University Network’s Healthy University Framework (HUF) for them to become healthy universities. Both policy documents identify OSH policy and programs as key components.

This study aimed to explore the challenges and opportunities in the implementation of health and safety policies and programs in a state university in the Philippines.

A case study design was used with a state university as its study site. Investigators conducted 14 key informant interviews and nine focus group discussions which were participated by system officials, campus officials, academic teaching staff, academic non-teaching Staff, support staff, and students. Thematic analysis was used to identify and understand emerging patterns and themes.

The results generated seven themes consisting of Policy and Committee, Dedicated Personnel and Unit,Budget and Technology, Collaboration, Programs and Services, Working and Learning Environment, and Role Models. The identified challenges in the implementation of health and safety programs in the university were: (1) limited budget to implement initiatives, (2) lack of collaboration among its offices, and (3) absence of a dedicated unit and staff. There were also opportunities to improve implementation: (1) strong implementation of certain policies and programs, (2) presence of a good working and learning environment, and (3) existence of role models.

The identified challenges and opportunities correspond to the elements of the system and infrastructure considered as principal determinants of a healthy university. There is a need to recognize the interrelatedness of such elements to ensure effective implementation of health and safety programs in the university. It also underscores the relevance of the HUF in promoting OSH within a university context.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

First responders must be physically and mentally healthy to ensure effective emergency response. However, literature showed that Filipino first responders continue to have elevated levels of stress and increased risk for post-traumatic stress and other mental health problems months after their deployment. The “Mi Salud” app was created to help Filipino first responders, their team leaders, and their agencies monitor and manage the responders’ real-time stress levels before, during, and after their deployment more effectively.

The “Mi Salud” app was pretested with Filipino first responders (n=30) to establish convergent validity using existing validated scales measuring the same construct. Participants also completed a Likert scale and questionnaire to assess user experience and app recommendations. During the rollout, first responders (n=32) tested the app and completed a survey on user experience and app recommendations. A focus group discussion (n=11; FGD) was conducted to further explore their experiences with the app. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, while FGD data were examined through thematic analysis.

Results from the online survey showed that the app was generally found to be helpful and that the recommendations within the app were useful. The emerging themes from the FGD corroborated many of the themes from the survey, particularly the benefits of using the app and the app’s ease of use. Positive effects were observed both on the responders and on the responders’ team leader and teammates, which further established the value of the “Mi Salud” app.

The findings show that the “Mi Salud” stress check-app may serve as a useful tool for monitoring and managing the stress levels, a critical aspect for Filipino first responders to maintain optimal functioning during deployments and daily activities.

BACKGROUND

The Philippines faces a challenge in addressing the mental health needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) following disasters. The lack of an integrated mental health triage system within evacuation centers and the shortage of specialists trained in post-traumatic stress triaging have hindered effective emergency response. Existing interventions primarily focus on traditional trauma and psychiatric symptoms, often lacking standardized mental health triage classifications and leading to data gaps, complicating resource allocation decisions.

To develop a culturally relevant mental health triage system, this study proposes the "Unahon Tool" to meet the needs of Filipino IDPs. Integrating with existing medical triage protocols equips frontline responders to identify stress-related concerns, enables informed decision-making for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) allocation, and optimizes resource utilization.

The study involved key informants, including disaster responders, mental health specialists, and government officials, who participated in interviews and focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was used to identify behavioral aspects affecting IDP communities. The Unahon Tool development incorporated disaster response frameworks, mental health interventions, and other existing triage tools. A red-yellow-green categorization system was employed based on the severity and urgency of observed behaviors. Stakeholder consultations and expert reviews guided tool refinement.

The final Unahon Tool includes 17 behaviors categorized into red (urgent), yellow (moderate), and green (low) severity levels. It provides corresponding recommended interventions to aid responders. During direct observations, yellow-category behaviors like shouting and cursing were prevalent. Responders focused on reminders for peace and order in response to these behaviors. The tool's "Notes" section was identified as a potential area for contextual information inclusion.

The Unahon Tool fills a crucial gap in the Philippine disaster response infrastructure by offering a behavior-based mental health triage system. It enables responders to prioritize mental health resources effectively, reducing the burden on specialists and enhancing overall disaster response effectiveness. Future directions   include expanding tool adoption beyond Metro Manila, translating it into regional languages, and developing a version for children and teenagers. Collaboration with other regions and age groups will ensure broader applicability and effectiveness in addressing mental health needs among diverse IDP populations.

OBJECTIVES

The study aims to identify the gaps and document the best practices in the response during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also compared how urban and rural sites of local government units (LGUs) implement measures. Hence, the study was conducted to probe into the non-uniform implementation of COVID-19 protocols in two (2) rural and two (2) urban local government units (LGUs), and the best practices that can be done to remedy this gap in disaster risk management.

A case study design was employed and analyzed using a triangulation approach to determine the gaps and best practices of the selected urban and rural LGUs in implementing COVID-19 protocols. The study adopted the WHO COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (COVID-19) M&E Framework) in monitoring and tracking situations, containment efforts, and the response during the pandemic around the world. The study was tailored for both urban and rural LGUs in the Philippines to identify their approach in implementing their COVID-19 protocols.

Findings showed that best practices include strict border controls and granular lockdowns, conversion of existing buildings into isolation facilities, and extensive information dissemination. The gaps in implementation identified were the lack of human resources and necessary facilities to treat patients, no purpose-built isolation facilities, “inapplicability” of national protocols and ordinances in local settings, misinformation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, and uncooperative behavior of the people.

Urban and rural communities are recommended to build risk communication and scenarios, establishing “Botika” and mobile vaccination, and extensive information dissemination as remedy to the misinformation regarding the virus, vaccine, and other pandemic-related information. Additionally, penalizing people who spread false information regarding the pandemic also be implemented. Finally, preventive health assistance should be provided to the first responders such as barangay hall personnel.

BACKGROUND: Despite the implementation of policies related to disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippines, the response after Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013 was hampered by operational challenges.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to document disaster response experiences of Typhoon Haiyan from field level emergency medical service (EMS) responders, a key component of the disaster response, specifically the enabling factors and hindrances to disaster medical response activities, including their self-perceived level of preparedness in these activities.

METHODS: In this mixed-methods study, 52 respondents identified enabling factors and hindrances to their disaster response and their corresponding self-perceived level of preparedness. In a subsequent focus group discussion, the researchers used the nominal group technique to process the respondents' experiences.

RESULTS: The respondents identified factors that enabled or hindered their response activities such as coordination, stress debriefing, infrastructure, and preparedness. Furthermore, an average of 33% of the respondents said they were adequately prepared to deliver the necessary medical services during the disaster response, thus validating previous studies on preparedness and disaster response operations.

CONCLUSION: The government should critically examine its cluster approach to disaster response and consider an integrated, inclusive, and proactive approach in disaster planning.

BACKGROUND: Despite existing disaster preparedness policies in the Philippines, there has not been any validated assessment of the quality of disaster medical response, which would require reliable aggregate data on patient diagnoses and management.

OBJECTIVE: This mixed-methods study documented the diagnoses, triage classification and case management of patients seen by Philippine EMS groups who responded to the Typhoon Haiyan disaster in the Philippines in November and December 2013, as well as difficulties associated in gathering these data, using the Utstein-style Template for Uniform Data Reporting of Acute Medical Response in Disasters as framework.

METHODS: Three hundred (300) individuals vetted by EMS organizations were invited to answer a survey modeled after the Utstein-style template, and submit tallies of patients seen. Out of 52 responses received, policy recommendations were subsequently generated on concerns assessed by the template using the nominal group technique.

RESULTS: The submitted data yielded a total of 41,202 patients with information on age, sex, and diagnosis; 19,193 with triage classification; and 27,523 with information on case management. The focus group discussion underlined the absence of a standard communication and information management system. Participants recommended establishing such a system and highlighted the role of the Department of Health - Health Emergency Management Bureau in coordinating disaster medical response efforts and information management.

CONCLUSION: This study underlines the importance of effective communication, and multisectoral coordination, to generate reliable data and thus, facilitate resource allocation for disaster medical response.