With the Covid-19 pandemic no longer a health issue, what would the government do with the 243 units of ultra-low temperature freezers (ULTFs) which were bought for P152 million to store the vaccines in various cold storage facilities in the country?

In its audit report, the Commission on Audit (COA) said that each unit of ULTF was procured by the Department of Health (DOH) for P626,000 and was expected to have an estimated useful life of 10 years.

However, the audit team's ocular inspection conducted last July, August, and October 2023 revealed that 26 units have already become defective and only 243 units remain in good condition.

But if left unused, these remaining units might not fare well, the COA said.

"Leaving up to 243 units unutilized or not efficiently used would restrict the attainment of the expected benefits associated with their refocused/repurposed function. Failure to properly repurpose these freezers would also result in failing to maximize the government funds spent and the value of donations on the said equipment," it said.

"Moreover, given that ULTF has an estimated useful life of 10 years, it is important to fully utilize the remaining life to ensure maximum benefit," it added.

As the country moves towards its post-pandemic phase, the COA said it is important for the DOH to develop a comprehensive plan to repurpose the idle ULTFs.

It also said: "This plan should identify potential uses, such as storing other essential biological materials, clinical specimens, or supporting research activities. It should also outline a clear timeline for implementation and a mechanism for monitoring and evaluation."