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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Ombudsman probe demoralizes DOH personnel

Ombudsman probe demoralizes DOH personnel

Published Jun 18, 2020 12:00 am
By Analou De Vera The decision of the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the Department of Health's response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the morale of the employees of the DOH, its spokesperson said on Thursday. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that they were caught by surprise when it was announced yesterday that they will be investigated by the Ombudsman. Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire
(PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) “Of course, makikita mo naman doon sa mga tao. Hindi ko ikakaila---dalawang taon na kaming lumalaban sa mga iba’t-ibang epidemya, nagkakasunod-sunod. We had measles, dengue, polio, we had the volcanic eruption, and this-- the pandemic. ,” said Vergeire during a television interview. “Yung talagang pakiramdam ng mga empleyado dito sa Department of Health ---na talagang nagtratrabaho nang maayos--- ay syempre ay malaking effect ito sa kanila of this na parang naque-question tayo ngayon with the things that we are doing right now. ,” she added. The investigation might also affect their work since they have a lot on their plate right now, said Vergeire. “In my opinion--definitely medyo makakaapekto ito because yung time na dapat ginugugol natin para gumawa tayo ng mga ginagawa for the response, mahahalo itong ating pag-aayos nitong mga proseso kung saka-sakaling meron ngang ganito. ,” she said. Vergeire was also asked on the claim of Ombudsman Samuel Martires that they were given the "runaround" by some DOH officials when they conducted their initial probe. “Hindi naman po siguro. Siguro ito lamang ay naging proseso since ang RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine) ay under ng DOH. . Of course there will be referrals coming from the RITM to DOH back to RITM,” she said. "As far as we're concerned, all documents that come into our office, we give them immediate responses, or at least an acknowledgement that we’re still to check it," she added. However, Vergeire vowed that they will cooperate with the investigation. “The DOH is always open to these kinds of processes of the government and we will be cooperating,” said Vergeire. “Whatever is there, we (will) continue working because this is our mandate. We are open and we will be working with them and we will cooperate,” she added. To note, among the issues to be investigated by the Ombudsman include the supposed delayed procurement of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers; and the alleged inaction of the DOH in releasing and processing of financial compensation to healthcare workers who succumbed or fell ill due to COVID-19.
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