Legal Mandate and Leadership
- The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) is mandated under Presidential Decree No. 1566 to strengthen disaster control.
- The Secretary of Health is designated to chair the NDCC response to the AH1N1 threat, centralizing coordination within the health sector.
Purpose and Coordination
- The Department of Health (DOH), through the Emergency Management Task Force for Influenza AH1N1, issues guidelines to synchronize health sector actions.
- Aims to prevent, contain, and control the spread of the influenza AH1N1 virus through effective and coordinated health responses.
Nature of the Disease and DOH Authority
- Influenza AH1N1 affecting human populations is unprecedented, with unpredictable epidemiologic trends and clinical effects.
- DOH exercises its mandate as the lead agency for health emergencies to provide directions and courses of action.
Scope of Guidelines and Applicability
- DOH will issue technical and operational guidelines applicable and enforceable by national, sub-national, local governments, NGOs, development partners, and other health-related organizations.
- Encompasses public health protection and health care provision sectors.
Enforcement of Related Issuances
- This administrative order enforces all DOH department circulars, memoranda, advisories, and other issuances related to the AH1N1 emergency.
Specific Guidelines Issued
- Guidelines include: traveler advisories, infection control measures, use of personal protective devices.
- Procedures for screening, laboratory confirmation.
- Clinical management protocols for confirmed cases.
- Surveillance and contact tracing measures to monitor disease transmission.
Effective Date
- The administrative order takes effect immediately upon issuance on May 4, 2009.
Signatory
- Signed by Francisco T. Duque III, MD, MSc, Secretary of Health.