The RITM Surveillance and Response Unit (SRU) conducted an orientation on the Public Health Surveillance Systems in the Philippines on May 29, 2019 at the Crimson Hotel, Alabang.

“The Department of Health, as well as the international community, have high expectations on RITM. So we as staff of RITM – so much is also expected of us especially in terms of outbreak and response. It is only fitting that we all know what public health surveillance and response is. We do our job every day but we must also be aware of the whole public health surveillance systems in the Philippines and that is the main objective for conducting this training,” says RITM Surveillance Officer Rowena Capistrano as she welcomed the participants.

A total of 44 first-line responders from the Laboratory Research Division, Clinical Research Division, and select staff from the Office of the Director participated in the orientation.

Disease surveillance is the cornerstone of public health decision-making and practice. Aside from generating data which can be used for prediction and early detection of outbreaks, surveillance activities monitor and evaluate disease prevention and control programs of the Department of Health.

As the national referral hospital and reference laboratory for majority of infectious diseases, it is important that frontline hospital personnel and laboratory staff of RITM fully understand the value of surveillance systems in the country, especially the essential operational processes involving the Institute.

SRU conducts this orientation biannually.

by Reina Manongsong, Communication and Engagement Office