PAMET’s “Caring for the Carers”: Serving Filipino Medical Technologists and Frontliners

Now that the whole world is fighting against the pandemic brought about by COVID-19, the Philippine Association of Medical Technolgists (PAMET), with its local chapters nationwide, are called upon to do our share, in our own little way, to show how we care for everyone. And we are proud that PAMET is at the forefront.

In response, the professional organization was at the helm in initiating several activities directed towards advocacy, health promotion, and members’ assistance and benefits since the early stage of the crisis.

As early as February, PAMET started its activities with Health and Wellness Campaign on February 25, in one community in Manila. Focus of the activity was the importance of handwashing to break the chain of infection. Targeted participants were parents and school children in the area.

As the number of COVID-19 cases progressed and increased, problems also emerged particularly on the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Biosafety and Biosecurity. Other concerns like discrimination and unsafe workplace practices were also highlighted.

This prompted PAMET to launch the “Caring for the Carers” Campaign on March 14, 2020.

PAMET “Caring for the Carers” is part of the associations corporate social responsibility program known as “PAMET Para Sa Kapwa” (PAMET for Fellowmen) which started in 2017.

Primarily, it aims to extend support and assistance to various medical frontliners handling the different cases in various hospitals.

To date, the project already covered 140 hospitals and laboratories in Metro Manila covering 16 cities and 1 municipality. It also extended its help to selected military groups and barangays. Through the different PAMET chapters, over 200 hospitals were reached in close to 50 provinces in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. More than 10,000 frontliners were served.

Since the start of its operation, the project was able to distribute more than 30,000 items composed of hygiene kits (soaps, sanitizers, hand wash, alcohol), personal protective equipment (PPEs), masks, gloves, face masks and food packs. Currently, the project is on-going and still receiving several requests both in NCR and provinces.

Due to statistics that showed increasing number of COVID-19 positive Medical Technologists, PAMET took a step forward by providing financial assistance to its affected members by approving an “Interim Guidelines on Members’ Benefits in Relation to Positive COVID-19 Cases”. Survey on the details of affected members is now on-going.

The pandemic compelled PAMET to move towards:

1. Development of Biosafety Guidance on COVID-19 Testing for Laboratorian, in partnership with Biorisk Association of the Philippines.
2. Curriculum Enhancement to strengthen the knowledge and skills related to Molecular Diagnostics, in collaboration with CHED Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education.
3. Transmitting a Letter to the Office of the President (Malacanang) and to different legislators to highlight the concerns of Medical Technologists.
4. Drafting a new version of Medical Technology Bill to upgrade the practice of Medical Technology.
5. Capacity-building through trainings and online webinar related to COVID-19.

We are hoping to continue this advocacy by appreciating, inspiring and thanking the noble deeds of our frontliners and encouraging them, through the expression of heartfelt support, which were made possible through the generosity of our partners and donors.