No government funds were used in the distribution of virgin coconut oil (VCO) to hospitals attending to coronavirus patients, according to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles.
Nograles explained Thursday that "private funds" were tapped to procure the VCO supplies which he had given away to some some hospitals in Metro Manila.
The former Davao lawmaker, who sits as co-chairman of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), has advocated the use of VCO as potential safe treatment for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
"The distribution of VCO was a personal initiative, not an official IATF undertaking, and that private funds were used to purchase VCO supplies on top of VCO that had been donated by concerned parties," a statement from Nograles' office read.
On Wednesday, April 14, Nograles distributed free VCO supplies to SDS Medical Center in Marikina and Novaliches General Hospital in Quezon City. VCO supplies were earlier given away to Caloocan City Medical Center, San Lorenzo Ruiz Women’s Hospital, and Ospital ng Malabon.
Nograles explained that he opted to distribute free VCO supplies after consulting the Department of Science and Technology, doctors, and experts who said "VCO could have possible benefits for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms.”
“More importantly, there are zero risks involved; VCO may help them, and certainly will not endanger their lives,” he said.
“At this point, we should be doing everything we can to help those who have contracted COVID-19. If there are possible treatments out there backed up by science, and trying these treatments have little or no risk involved, subukan natin (let's try it)," he added.
The DOST earlier conducted clinical studies on VCO as possible COVID-19 treatment for some patients with mild symptoms. Initial results showed virgin coconut oil can help prevent COVID-19 systems from worsening.
The department maintained that more studies must be conducted to determine the efficacy of the VCO to help patients with comorbidities.