By Genalyn Kabiling
The Department of Health (DOH) has recommended four foreign health experts to join a panel that will study whether Dengvaxia vaccine posed danger to public health.
Concepcion Yusop, a national immunization program manager, shows dengue vaccine Dengvaxia in Sta. Cruz city, Metro Manila, December 4, 2017. (REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco/File Photo/MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the President is expected to choose three from the four health experts from Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Sri Lanka.
The names of the health experts were submitted by Health Secretary Francisco Duque to the President during the Cabinet meeting last Monday.
"I don't know the names but I know their nationalities -- one from Vietnam, one from Thailand, one from Singapore and one from Sri Lanka. I understand the President will choose three from the four," Roque said in Filipino during press conference in Cavite.
Roque assured that the government has sufficient budget to compensate the foreign experts invited to probe the effects of the controversial anti-dengue vaccine.
Last May, the President announced plans to create a three-panel of Asian experts to conduct an independent and comprehensive probe on whether or not the controversial anti-dengue drug caused the deaths of several vaccinated children.
Roque earlier said Duterte wanted a "clearer scientific finding" about Dengvaxia following the conflicting reports from the Public Attorney's Office and the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (PGH).
The results of the experts' investigation would help the government determine its next course of action on the Dengvaxia controversy.