Republic of the Philippines

Department of Health
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

June 17, 2021

DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR
No. 2021- (R58

TO: ALL UNDERSECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES;

DIRECTORS OF CENTERS FOR HEALTH DEVELOPMENT
(CHD), BUREAUS, AND SERVICES; MINISTER OF HEALTH -
BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM
MINDANAO; EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF SPECIALTY
HOSPITALS; CHIEFS OF MEDICAL CENTERS, HOSPITALS,
AND SANITARIA: OTHER GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE
HEALTH FACILITIES; AND OTHERS CONCERNED

SUBJECT: Observance of the National Infection Prevention and Control

Week Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 971

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 971 signed on June 23, 2020, the second week of July
every year has been declared “National Infection Prevention and Control Week” and the second
Saturday of July every year as “Surgical Infection Prevention Awareness Day” (please see
Annex A). As one of the agencies leading the Infection Prevention and Control strategies in
the country, the Department of Health (DOH) and all healthcare facilities are enjoined to come
up with activities during this week in commemoration of the National IPC Week.

The theme for this celebration is: IPC Week 2021: Breaking the Infection Chain for
Patients and Frontliners. The DOH recognizes the importance of minimum public health
standards in safeguarding the health of both our patients and healthcare workers. Handwashing,
social distancing, and wearing face masks, either in the hospital or community, will go a long
way in preventing the spread of various diseases.

In line with this, the DOH has prepared the following activities:

1. Featured BIDA Bastonero/Bastonera

a. The BIDA Bastonero/Bastonera is a champion of IPC who actively
promotes the program in his/her healthcare facility. Their efforts in IPC
such as practicing minimum public health standards, correct PPE
donning/doffing, going on duty in the wards, participation in the IPC
committee, etc. shall be recognized.

Building 1, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, 1003 Manila ® Trunk Line 651-7800 loc. 1113, 1108, 1135
Direct Line: 711-9502; 711-9503 Fax: 743-1829 @ URL: http://www.doh.gov.ph; e-mail: ftduque@doh.gov.ph
 b. Those who wish to participate may submit their own photos or nominate
someone they know. These will be uploaded in the HFDB facebook page
and DOH fb page where people can access, like, and share them.

~~
c. Photos shall be submitted through this link: http:/bit.ly/IPCWeek2021
with the following information:
1. Name
ii. Position
iii. Facility/ Organization
iv. What you do for Infection Prevention and Control (< 200 words)
or Message to Frontliners (< 200 words)

2. Rub and Dab Tiktok Challenge

a. Access the Tiktok Challenge here: http://bit.1y/IPCtiktok
b. Everyone is encouraged to join in and upload their own versions of the
dance challenge through the Tiktok mobile application.
c. Use the hashtag #IPCWeek2021 when uploading your videos.
d. The HFDB IPC team shall select a winner at the end of the IPC Week.
e. The winner will be featured in the official social media platforms of
DOH.

3. Promotional materials can be accessed here: http://bit.ly/IPCWeekMaterials

Dissemination to all concerned is requested.

By Authority of the Secretary of Health:

UX
LILIBETH C. DAVID, MD, MPH, MPM, CESO I
Undersecretary of Health
Health Facilities and Infrastructure Development Team
 Annex A

MALACANAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 971

DECLARING THE SECOND WEEK OF JULY OF EVERY YEAR AS

“NATIONAL INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL WEEK,”
AND THE SECOND SATURDAY OF JULY OF EVERY YEAR AS
“SURGICAL INFECTION PREVENTION AWARENESS DAY”

WHEREAS, Section 15, Article Il of the Constitution provides that the State
shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them;

WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 11223, also known as the

“Universal Health Care Act,” provides that the State shall adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach to ensure that all Filipinos are health literate, provided with
healthy living conditions and protected from risks and hazards that could affect their
health;

WHEREAS, the State recognizes infection as a major health problem, which

has a significant impact on mortality, morbidity and quality of life, and acknowledges
that the threats posed by infection resulting in epidemics, pandemics and
antimicrobial resistance have become more evident; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to emphasize prevention and health promotion

as tools to address the threats posed by infection, and attain a safer, more effective
and higher quality of health service delivery;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, President of the

Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution
and existing laws, do hereby declare the second week of July of every year as
‘National Infection Prevention and Control Week,” and the second Saturday of
July of every year as “Surgical Infection Prevention Awareness Day.”

The Department of Health, in coordination with relevant non-government

organizations and professional associations, shall promote the observance of the
“National Infection Prevention and Control Week” and “Surgical Infection Prevention
Awareness Day.”
All hospitals, both public and private, including teaching and training
hospitals, local government-owned hospitals, clinics and health facilities, are hereby

THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

encouraged to participate and assist in the conduct of relevant programs, projects
and activities for the successful implementation of this Proclamation.

INWITNESS WHEREOF, | have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal
of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 23rd of June ,

in the year of Our Lord,
Two Thousand and Twenty.

By the President:

’.
SALVADOR C.
Sie
Executive Secretary

REPUBLIC OF TBE
PRILIPPINES
PRRD 2016
- 014817

Office of the President

MALACARNANG RECORDS OFFICE