THE Davao City authorities are now searching for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patient who escaped one of the city isolation facilities on Saturday, May 9.
In a radio interview via 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio on Tuesday afternoon, May 12, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio identified the patient who escaped from the Queensland isolation center as Arani Hajiba, an asymptomatic female patient.
"Kagabii gisugdan na og cartographic sketch niya. Gina-improve karon sa computer ang pag-drawing sa iyahang nawong para mahatag nato sa public ang iyahang picture, para maka-report ang makakita sa iyaha (We started the cartographic sketch last night. We digitally improved it so that the public could clearly identify her, and immediately report her whereabouts)," the mayor said.
The city government posted on its official page the cartographic sketch of the patient.
According to the post, Hajiba is a resident of Purok 4, Isla Verde, Barangay 23-C in Davao City. Her age is between 20 to 24 years old, and she has a lump on the left side on her neck.
The public is encouraged to report the whereabouts of the patient in the Davao City Operation Center. She also reminded them to approach the patient with extreme precaution.
The mayor said Hajiba was not at her residence or within the barangay, and in the quarantine facility she fled since Monday evening, May 11.
Duterte-Carpio, meanwhile, said she will consult with the Davao City Police Office on what legal consequences they would file against the patient.
Meanwhile, Department of Health-Davao Region (DOH-Davao) assistant director Dr. Lenny Joy Rivera said in a virtual presser that the agency is already reviewing its security protocol that is being implemented in the isolation facilities to avoid the incident from happening again.
Rivera said they are currently studying arrangements to indigenous peoples (IPs) and its cultural communities who would be found to be Covid-19 positive.
"Alam natin natin na when we talk about Badjao, may iba din silang kultura. May sinusundan silang beliefs. Pinag-aaralan ngayon on how to cater on that para maiwasan 'yung pagkakaroon siguro ng depression kung nandoon sila (We all know that Badjaos have their own beliefs and culture. We are currently studying meaures on how we would cater these people to prevent being depressed while being inside the centers)," she said in a One Davao for Covid-19 virtual presser.
She said, as much as possible, they would be quarantined at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).
Meanwhile, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)- Davao Chapter president Maceste Uy said that Covid-19 patients who escaped from the quarantine facilities could face legal charges.
"The act of the covid-19 positive patient in escaping the quarantine facility falls under Republic Act 11332," Uy told Sunstar Davao in a text message.
RA 11332 is the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.
He said based on Section 9, paragraph (e) of RA 11332, also known as "the law and reporting of communicable disease", non-cooperation Of the person or entities identified as having been the notifiable disease, or affected by the health event of public concern is a prohibited act.
Under section 10 of the same law, he said violators will be penalized with a fine of not less than P20,000 but not more than P50,000 such a fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court. (RGL)