An expected rise in the number of Filipinos reaching out to the Office of Vice President's free teleconsultation service "Bayanihan e-Konsulta" prompted Vice President Leni Robredo to call on more volunteers to man the service.
Robredo made the call in a short video posted on her social media accounts on Friday, Jan. 7, as she announced the reactivation of the e-Konsulta program as part of her office's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response efforts.
"Inaasahan natin na dadagsa ulit yung mga mangangailangan ng tulong sa e-Konsulta (We are expecting that more people will need the help of e-Konsulta), kaya (so) I want to take this opportunity na manawagan ulit (to once again call) for volunteers," Robredo said.
The aspiring President is hoping to duplicate the mobilization of over 4,000 volunteers that came forward during the previous surge of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila.
"Noong huling surge sa Metro Manila, nagawa natin ito: 1,078 na doktor at 3,156 non-medical volunteers ang tumugon sa panawagan natin noon. Ganitong klaseng effort ulit ang kakailanganin natin sa harap ng surge na ito (During the previous surge in Metro Manila, we were able to do this: 1,078 doctors and 3,156 non-medical volunteers responded to our call. We again need this kind of effort as we face the current surge)," she said.
Robredo said they need the services of medical and non-medical volunteers, including licensed mental health professionals.
She also said that the Swab Cab project, a mobile free COVID-19 testing, has already been reactivated its operation. It was able to conduct 400 Antigen tests in Jan. 6.
Of the 400 individuals tested, 169 tested positive. Of the 231 negative antigen tests, 94 are for confirmatory tests for exhibiting symptoms.
Robredo also reported that they continue to give the COVID-19 anti-viral drug molnupiravir to qualified patients through the help of partner hospitals.
"Mag-message lang kayo sa e-Konsulta; kung kailangan, i-re-rekomenda kayo ng volunteer doctors natin para sa gamot na ito. Libre n'yong makukuha ito at ipapadala ang gamot sa inyo (Just message e-Konsulta; if needed, you will be recommended for this medicine by our volunteer doctors. You will get this for free and will be sent to you)," the vice president said.
Robredo reminded the public to reach out to e-Konsulta on its Facebook page for consultation to avoid going to the hospitals.