Community Quarantine Facilities for Emergency Health Care

The Special Committee of the Emergency Architects (EA) of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) has been developing alternative temporary shelter (ATS) solutions for the past 4 years in collaboration with ACCORD, other NGOs, and their partner LGUs. Some models were deployed and tested in a few emergency events in the NCR. Action Against Hunger distributed several tents and indoor folding sleeping modules in Surigao and Compostela Valley, becoming part of their DRRM contingency plan. While tests and demos supplement the NGO programs of reaching Central Visayas and Mindanao in the campaign for LGU adaptation, the ATS models are experienced, evaluated, and reviewed by stakeholders and constantly improved in a progressive iterative design-innovate process by the UAP EA.

The proposed intervention in the present emergency of the CoViD19 scenario utilizing the introduced ATS system attempts to incorporate DOH-WHO guidelines to convert large indoor and outdoor space to address lack of community care facilities especially in the vulnerable and far-flung areas while at the same time prepositioning for the LGUs such vital alternative temporary shelters that can be redeployed during other emergency events.

The implementation strategy shall include community engagement to support the construction of facilities and establishing of systems. Activities such as social preparation, public awareness and advocacy, among other existing information, education and communication campaigns, will contribute in ensuring an efficient and participatory intervention. For instance, working with other departments/offices aside from the Community Health Officers and DRRMOs within the City LGUs can possibly help to address the challenges on WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) and other logistical needs. At the barangay-level, engagement of Barangay Health Workers, other community leaders and volunteers within the BDRRMCs, can factor in the establishment of facility systems, including roles, responsibilities, and policies, contributing to the efficiency of site plans.

The UAP Emergency Architects, formerly headed by Ar. Stephanie N. Gilles and presently chaired by Ar. Jose Miranda is composed of volunteer practicing professionals and students in architecture that form part of the DRRM and CSR advocacy of the UAP. This project is a collaborative effort of the Facilities Cluster of the UAP EA with partner NGOs.

A practical option of providing common WASH facilities for each quarantine zone is adaptable in most public spaces especially those with existing augmentable WASH facilities.

The more ideal yet challenging individualized personal provision may be attained by the use of commode supported by a washbasin. Vital to this is capacitating local health workers and support workers in proper waste disposal and observance of infection control measures.

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