Loren questions plan to stop use of thermal scanners

Loren questions plan to stop use of thermal scanners
BHUTAN (May 26) – Senator Loren Legarda questioned today the plan to stop the use of thermal scanners in the country’s international airports on account of their alleged ineffectiveness in detecting A(H1N1)flu infection.
“The thermal scanners are already in place and operational in our airports, so I don’t see the point of stopping their use in detecting possible A(H1N1) viral infection of inbound passengers,” said Loren.
Loren is here in Bhutan to address a climate change conference in her capacity as UN Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction for Asia Pacific.
“While the Department of Health may be correct that thermal scanners may not detect A(H1N1) flu carriers during the virus’ incubation period, the scanners can nonetheless detect full-blown virus cases as manifested by the carriers running a fever,” she said.
“We have already invested in the scanners and the training of the personnel who use them. The said equipment would go to waste if they would not be used. More importantly, we would be removing one check valve in the fight against the virus.”
She added that the use of the scanners complement other measures in place against the spread of the virus, including the purchase by the DOH of A(H1N1) testing kits to verify the result of tests conducted abroad on specimens sent them by the Philippine government.
“The more layers, the more ways we try to contain the spread of this virus, the better. The use of the thermal scanners also gives our people peace of mind knowing that the government is acting against the spread of the disease right on our gateways.”