

The Department of Health (DOH) recently confirmed a localized transmission of COVID-19 in the country. With this, the DOH raised the Code Red Alert Level 4, Sub-level 1 of the COVID-19 Alert System.
Know what does Code Red Alert Level 4, Sub-level 1 mean. What can we do in the advent of this declaration? See this infographics from the DOH.
The formal post-residency training of the Section of Infectious Diseases of the University of Santo Tomas Hospital began as a combined Adult and Pediatric Fellowship program in 1986. Drs. Bienvenido Alora, Rosario Angeles Tan-Alora and Remedios Fabra-Coronel were the adult Infectious Diseases mentors while the pediatric aspect was directed by Dr. Estrella Paje-Villar. The section was one of the two pioneer sections established under the Department of Medicine. Aside from the clinical program at the USTH, the trainees also rotated at the US Naval Medical Research Unit (US- NAMRU), then located at San Lazaro compound. However, the succeeding years saw the evolution of the fellowship training program to cater Adult Infectious Diseases only.
In 1995, the first Directly Observed Therapy Short Course (DOTS) clinic in the Philippines was established by Dr. Rodrigo Romulo, under the auspices of the Section of Infectious Diseases. Likewise, the present day PRISM, the fellows-in-training clinicopathologic conference saw its beginnings at the USTH in 2001 under the initiative of Dr. Margarita Torralba-Cayco.
In keeping with the goals of the training program, the USTH Section of Infectious Diseases has and continues to produce well-rounded physicians who are well-versed in the principles and practice of infectious diseases while observing the ideals and values of the Thomasian physician – committed, competent and compassionate. The graduates of the section are humble and well-grounded trailblazers in various provinces in the country where they share their knowledge passion with their patients, colleagues and students and at the same time tirelessly seeking for the truth and knowledge through research.
Head: Dr. Remedios F. Coronel
Training Officer: Dr. Maria Rhona G. Bergantin
Fellows-in-Training:
Phone Number: 287313001
Dr. Jemelyn Garcia, FPCP, FPSMID
Dr. Maria Sonia Salamat, FPCP, FPSMID
Dr. Marja B. Buensalido, FPCP, FPSMID
Dr. Emmerson Gale Vista, FPDS
Dr. Clarisse Garcia-Mendoza, FPDS
Dr. Kingbherly L. Li, FPCP, FPSMID
Dr. Yvette Silubrico, FPCP, FPSMID
Dr. Chatie Olasiman, FPCP, FPSMID
Dr. Ma. Charmian Hufano, FPCP, FPSMID
Dr. Mitzie Lou Osabel, FPCP, FPSMID
Dr. Janice C. Caoili, FPCP, FPSMID
The Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID) Guidance on the Management of Mpox, Ver. 1 provides the basic and most updated information on management of patients confirmed with mpox.
This guidance complements the mpox recommendations of the DOH (Updated Interim Guidelines on the Prevention, Detection, and Management of MPOX, by Department of Health, August 26, 2024, Department Memorandum 2024-0306) and PHICS-PHICNA (Interim Guidelines on the Prevention and Control of Monkeypox version 1).
The antivirals, immunoglobulin and vaccines discussed below are not available locally. In our local situation, we should maximize supportive care for mpox cases.