Long-term programs needed to fight COVID-19, future scourge, says health chief
In
his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Health Secretary Francisco Duque
III spelled out several measures aimed at fortifying the country’s defenses
against COVID-19 and future pandemics.
These
measures include improving the local surveillance capacity by providing
sufficient human resource and modern information system, enhancing the referral
systems and strengthening financing mechanisms through PhilHealth and the
General Appropriations Act (GAA) to provide Filipinos with affordable health
services.
Duque
also suggested the need for the country to build vaccine self-reliance.
He
also reported the current COVID-19 situation in the country. Based on the
present data, he said there is a notable drop in COVID-19 transmissions in the
National Capital Region (NCR) and in the whole country.
Although
there is a decreasing number of cases in Luzon, infections are spiking in the
Visayas and Mindanao, the health chief said, as he warned the public against
complacency.
Following
government-mandated health protocols is so important, he said, noting
non-adherence to health guidelines usually results in surge in cases and
imposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), which is devastating for the
economy.
“Kaya
naman po aming paulit-ulit na hinihingi ang kooperasyon ng publiko sa pagsunod
sa tamang pagsuot ng mask, face shield, distansya ng isang metro o mahigit,
palagiang paghuhugas ng kamay, at pag-iiwas sa matataong lugar upang mapigilan
ang pagkalat ng COVID-19,” Duque said.
“Kaugnay
nito, hinihingi rin namin ang tulong ng mga ibang sektor partikular na ang
ating transportation sector, trade, and tourism sector, among others, upang
siguraduhin po na ligtas at protektado ang ating mga mamamayan.”
The
country has recorded 46,037 active cases as of Wednesday, May 26, with
1,127,770 recoveries and 20,169 deaths.
PND
