DOH launches A(H1N1) hot line

GMANews.TV - Wednesday, June 24

MANILA, Philippines — Got any questions about A(H1N1)?

Try calling Hotline 155, a help line set up by the Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with Smart Communications, Inc.

Launched on Tuesday, the hot line will be manned by call center agents trained by the DOH to accommodate A(H1N1)- or swine flu-related queries.

The service, however, is available only to Smart, Talk and Text, and Red Mobile subscribers, which means queries can only be made using a cellular phone.

Smart public affairs head Ramon Isberto also clarified that the services are not free and normal rates apply “to screen out prank calls." Isberto said it would consider the suggestion of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III about giving discounted call and text rates for the DOH hot line.

In addition to Hotline 155, Smart subscribers can also reach the DOH via “Text 700-DOH." To use the service type: DOH (space) FEEDBACK (space) question and send to 700364.

Isberto said Hotline 155 is available from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, while Text 700DOH functions 24 hours.

He clarified that it is the DOH that would reply to queries via text messaging.

Secretary Duque, meanwhile, reported that the number of A(H1N1) cases in the Philippines has jumped to 473 after 28 more people tested positive for the new strain.

In a press conference, Duque said the new cases included 16 males and 12 females, with ages ranging from seven months to 49 years old.

The good news is that 400 of those infected have recovered, or an 85 percent recovery rate. No additional Influenza A(H1N1)-related death have been recorded in the Philippines, he added.

Mark Merueňas and Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV