By Izah Morales
INQUIRER.net
HAVING Hepatitis B restrict health workers in job application abroad, said Dr. Eric Tayag, officer-in-charge of the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) at the Department of Health.
“Maaaring magkaroon ng discrimination kung saan ‘yung merong mga Hepatitis B infection na naging carrier ay baka hindi mabigyan ng trabaho (People who had been infected by and have been carriers of Hepatitis B may be discriminated and may not land a job ” said Tayag who stressed the need for a set of guidelines on Hepa B by health institutions to protect health workers and prevent restrictive job policies.
Currently, the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine (PCOM) proposed the guidelines, which include communicating hazards of the disease through information dissemination programs, provision of personal protective equipment, such as aprons, gowns and gloves, and free screening for Hepatitis B and vaccination.
“The workplace is a very important component in the fight against the spread of Hepatitist B,” said PCOM president Dr. Oscar Tinio.
According to the World Health Organization, Hepatitis B is a “major infectious occupational hazard affecting health workers.”
The Philippine Foundation for Vaccination defines Hepatitis as a “condition in which the liver becomes inflamed and the cells degenerate and are destroyed.”
Hepatitis B can be acquired from blood and body fluids and transmitted through sexual intercourse, contact with needles and mothers who are positive with Hepa-B. Among those who are susceptible to this disease are healthcare workers, patients diagnosed with sexually transmitted disease, injecting drug users and patients involved in long-term dialysis.
“If the mother is positive with Hepa B, vaccine and immunoglobulin should be given to the baby within 12 hours after birth,” Tayag said.
To determine whether one needs to be vaccinated, an individual should undergo a blood test, said Tayag.
Hepatitis B has high prevalence in the Philippines, said Tayag. Hence, the doctor encourages vaccination against Hepatitis B.
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:53 pm
So where can an OFW find a free medical blood check for hepa B?
Our goverment should give all out support to OFW’s as they are the life blood to our economy.
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:13 pm
I am calling the attention of Dr.Eric tayag,OIC- NEC.I think he should be joining medical- dental mission or outreach program even just for once or twice and be observant how it is conducted. Circumcision and in particular dental extractions, though minor surgical procedures dont you think so that it is one of the many reasons why so many filipinos are positive with hepa B. Sterilization of instruments is not properly done. Cidex, glutaraldehyde and sometimes even alcohol is used to cleanse the instruments. But cleansing is not enough instead instruments are to be soaked in this chemicals for hours before it is use to other patient. Boiling water maybe on standby during the medical dental mission day but the instruments are not boiled long enough to sterelize it and then reuse it. We know too well that nowadays many disease causing microorganisms are chemical and heat resistant.
September 25th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Can you please include in this post what are the causes of getting Hepa B? thanks!