(Hong Kong, March 3, 2009) In response to a newspaper report that Filipinos are reportedly more liable to contract community-based infectious diseases (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus or MRSA) or to be carriers of this disease themselves, the Center for Health Protection in Hong Kong clarified that the report published in The Standard newspaper were “not the views” of the department.
In replying to a letter by Danilo Reyes, a Filipino staff member of the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to the CHP, Dr. Andrew Lau, who was writing for the departments Controller, wrote in his 27th February letter received recently that: “we would like to clarify that the article does not represent the views of the CHP.”
Dr. Lau also added that “further studies are needed to explain the observation that some ethnic groups were found over-represented in the notified cases”. He also added that in 2008, there were 274 cases reported to them, 14 of whom represented the infection rate amongst the Filipinos — which is contrary to 21 percent that The Standard, a local newspaper here, reported in their paper on 25th February.
Reyes had written to the CHP on the same day after this story appeared in public over the possible negative implications in terms of employment opportunities and social life of Filipinos living and working in Hong Kong. Unless the report is clearly explained well, Filipinos are exposed to being needlessly discriminated against.
After having received the response from the CHP, Reyes then wrote to the editor-in-chief of The Standard today, Mr. Ivan Tong, asking him to take the necessary action to correct their earlier report. Reyes had been asked by fellow Filipinos, most of whom are domestic workers, to demand either a public apology or correction of the report.
“It is also the responsibility of your paper to take necessary action to protect Filipinos from being needlessly discriminated against by making appropriate corrections as it is required,” writes Reyes in his 2nd March letter to Tong.
Apart from the contradiction in the infection rate report, Reyes also sought explanation from the paper over claims the “disease could be getting carried from the Philippines”.
“Your paper also has the responsibility to question the CHPs statement, if indeed your report were accurate; or make necessary corrections if it is otherwise. Somebody has to take responsibility for making this statement — either the CHP or your paper; but this is clearly not certain to me yet”, Reyes said.
The report has shocked the Filipinos when it first came out, in particular those working as domestic workers. They, too, were seriously concern over the possible negative implications in terms of their employment opportunity; or, would result to Filipinos being needlessly discriminated against.
The full text of Danilo Reyes letter to Mr. Ivan Tong, editor-in-chief of The Standard:
2 March 2009
Mr. Ivan Tong
Editor-in-Chief
The Standard
3/F, Sing Tao News Corporation Building
No. 3 Tung Wong Road, Shau Kei Wan
Hong Kong
Attn: Patsy Moy
Fax No.: 2795 3009
Dear Mr. Tong,
Re: Report on Filipinos carrying infectious disease requires correction
This is further to my letter to the Center for Health Protection on 25th February 2009, which was also furnished to you, regarding a report entitled “Superbug dilemma” published by The Standard on the same day.
In his letter sent to me dated 27th February, Dr. Andrew Lau, who writes for the Controller of the Center for Health Protection (CHP), has written that: “concerning the report on “MRSA infection on Filipinos” made by The Standard…we would like to clarify that the article does not represent the views of the CHP”.
Dr. Lau also said of the 274 cases reported in 2008, infections on Filipinos were about 14 percent, contrary to that 21 percent that your paper has reported. He also added that “further studies are needed to explain the observation that some ethnic groups were found to be over-represented in the notified cases”.
Giving attention to CHPs reply, I thought your paper should also provide the rational explanations on what basis were the said report made. These are few issues I thought requires explanations, if not prompt corrections;
“Disease could be getting carried from the Philippines”: After this report had been denied to have expressed the views of the CHP, your paper also has responsibility to question the CHPs response, if indeed your report were accurate, or make necessary corrections if it is otherwise. Somebody has to take responsibility for making this statement — either the CHP or your paper; but this is clearly not certain to me.
As I have earlier raise as a serious concern, the consultation I have had with some of the domestic workers yesterday, March 1, the report did initially had a negative impact upon the workers and their employers.
One of the workers was even frightened even to have your paper, where the report was published, shown to her employer to read; while the other employers immediate reaction were somewhat needlessly discriminatory of them.
Statistics on infections inaccurate: On the CHPs record, only 14 percent of Filipinos had been infected in year 2008, which was different from what your paper reported as 21. If indeed the calculation your paper and the CHP made were different this should also explained to clarify the point; if it is otherwise, then these claims that the infection rate on amongst Filipinos is “rising” must also be corrected promptly.
Based on the CHPs report, the claims that the infection rate amongst Filipinos is rising would render to have had no basis at all. Thus, it is also the duty of your paper to either explain clearly, or to make correction should there be inaccuracies committed in the reporting.
As you may have already known, majority of Filipinos in Hong Kong are domestic workers; thus, the possible negative implications on this report in terms of employment opportunities and of their social life, are real.
Thus, it is also the responsibility of your paper to take necessary action to protect Filipinos from losing their employment or being needlessly discriminated against by making appropriate corrections as it is required. I have also been asked to make this appeal by my fellow Filipinos who themselves are too frightened, even at least to have their names mentioned in my letter to you, to avoid being exposed.
I am looking forward for your response on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
REYES, Danilo Andres
Programme Assistant
Asian Human Rights Commission
CC:
1. The Consul General, Philippine Consulate, Hong Kong
2. Dr. Thomas Tsang, JP, Controller, Centre for Health Protection
