Senator Imee Marcos on Wednesday questioned the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for supposedly refusing to buy local products and "always waiting" for imported brands.
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO)
Marcos, chairperson of the Senate economic affairs committee, lamented that personal protective equipment (PPE) of medical frontliners are in very short supply.
‘’The Lung Center, Philippine Orthopedic Center and other hospitals are begging for more hazmats, gloves, and all other protective gear,’’ she pointed out.
‘’If we don’t take care of those who take care of us, what will become of us when we get sick?’’ Marcos asked.
She cited reports that infected healthcare workers have reached 13 percent while only two percent are infected in other countries because they are well provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safeguards.
‘’Why do the DOH and the DBM refuse to buy local, always waiting for those made-in-China or other imported brands? We need to help our local garment manufacturers who can assure on-time delivery to our healthcare workers!’’ Marcos said.
In a related development, Marcos hailed the nurses and other healthcare workers from the provinces who have dared come to Metro Manila to help the many hospitals now overwhelmed by the increasing number of patients.
‘’Our deepest gratitude to all of you! Truly, it’s been nearly a year since I proposed the creation of a medical reserve corps – qualified nurses waiting to be deployed abroad, healthcare volunteers, former personnel of the DOH and PhilHealth, OFWs with healthcare backgrounds, etc,’’ she said.
When listed as reserves, they could be called upon to replace personnel in National Capital Region (NCR) hospitals who are exhausted or have fallen ill, she explained.
‘’But they should be given stipends, hazard pay, and the other allowances owed to healthcare frontliners. Pay up now, please! The DOH has the money, and contingency and calamity funds left over from the 2020 budget must be given now!’’ she added.