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Duque heeds calls, agrees to take first shot of vaccine from China
By Fernan Angeles APPALLED by nasty remarks on the government’s preference for Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines, Health Secretary Francisco Duque agreed to take the first shot of it before the government starts administering vaccination to some 24 million Filipinos on the “priority list.” In an online press briefing, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said that aside from…
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Nurses lament delayed salaries
By Fernan Angeles AN organization of Filipino nurses lamented on what it aptly described as selective policy being implemented by the Department of Health. Citing the case of Sorsogon-based government nurses, the Filipino Nurses United (FNU) said that the DOH “was so quick to respond to Sorsogon Governor Francis Escudero on his call for the…
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DOH warns hospitals selling donated PPEs
By John Clifford Lintao THE Department of Health warned hospitals against charging its patients for personal protective equipment (PPE) which were donated to them amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In a press briefing, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire did not make any categorical statement confirming such practice, but hinted at their capability to monitor and determine instances…
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DOH hints at price control on swab test
By Fernan Angeles EXPECT an executive order setting a price cap on RT–PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) or swab tests for COVID-19, said the Department of Health. In a statement, Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said that they have already asked the Office of the President to issue an EO for the suggested retail price (SRP)…
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Poe asks: Why is flood-control budget higher than DOH?
By Fernan Angeles THE proposed P4.5 trillion national budget for calendar year 2021 has outlined higher allocation for flood control projects than that of the Department of Health – and the senators can’t seem find the logic on prioritizing infrastructure over public health. “Why is that the budget for flood control project under DPWH (Department…
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DOH shuns Duterte’s criteria on vaccine pick
By Fernan Angeles IF they had their way, the Department of Health would consider safety and effectiveness of the potential vaccine against COVID-19, if and when the country opts to buy them from foreign countries. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire’s statement is far from the criteria earlier hinted at by President Rodrigo Duterte who is…
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No more long wait for test results of COVID-19
By John Clifford Lintao WAITING for COVID-19 test results need not be an eternity, said the Department of Health which has delegated the Philippine Red Cross to take over the task of informing individuals for their condition. In a statement, the PRC said they were finally given the authorization they had requested from the DOH…
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2 million Filipinos already tested for COVID-19
By Fernan Angeles THE government has so far administered COVID-19 tests to some two million Filipinos, said the Department of Health. Of this figure, 214,444 yielded positive results, equating to a whopping 10.5 positivity rate. The testing is part of the government’s expanded testing measures deemed as crucial in containing the deadly virus. The online…
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Many COVID-19 Filipino patients found to be in 20-59 age bracket
By John Clifford Lintao A BIG number of Filipinos infected by COVID-19 are aged 20 to 59 years which the Department of Health (DOH) described as the productive bracket. In a press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said: “Ito pong 20 to 59 years old, ito po ang productive age group, sila kasi iyong…
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Avigan trial for Filipinos to start on Aug. 10
By John Clifford Lintao CLINICAL trials of the Japanese anti-viral flu drug Avigan among Filipino COVID-19 patients will start on Monday, Aug. 10, said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. Vergeire hinted on an all-set-up plan for the trial following the arrival of 199,000 Avigan tablets from Japan for the trials. “We have identified site na…