By Ma. Teresa Montemayor/PNA
MANILA – Health Secretary Francisco Duque III emphasized the need for long-term solutions in preparation for a possible surge of COVID-19 cases, saying lockdowns are not enough and impair the economy.
During a televised briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday (May 26) night, Duque reported that the increase in COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region and its neighboring provinces continues to slow down.
However, daily infections continue to rise in the Visayas and Mindanao.
“Nakita naman natin na sa kabila po ng pagbaba ng kaso sa tuwing magpapatupad tayo ng enhanced community quarantine, malaki po ang negatibong epekto nito sa ating ekonomiya at kabuhayan ng mga kababayan natin,” Duque said.
He suggested that long-term programs like the enhancement of local surveillance capacity, which include sufficient human resources and innovative information systems, are needed to fight COVID-19 and future pandemics.
“[Kailangan] ang pagpapaigting ng atin pong referral systems sa konteksto ng ating pagbubuo ng healthcare provider networks, at pagpapalakas ng ating financing mechanisms sa pamamagitan ng PhilHealth at iba pang pondo mula sa GAA [General Appropriations Act] ng ating gobyerno upang makapagbigay po tayo ng abot-kayang health services,” he added.
Since mass protection and a significant decrease in cases could be achieved through vaccination against COVID-19, Duque also recommended the development of vaccine self-reliance in the country.
On Tuesday, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said at least eight firms are eyeing local vaccine manufacturing in the country, five of which will be for COVID-19.
DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said the National Task Group on Vaccine Evaluation and Selection has been coordinating with prospective vaccine manufacturers in the Philippines by connecting local pharmaceutical companies to foreign vaccine developers that expressed interest in local vaccine manufacturing.
The Department of Health (DOH) earlier revised its target to inoculate 50 to 60% of the population with a concentration in Metro Manila, two other cities, and six provinces instead of its initial 70% of Filipinos.
DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje earlier said the government will now aim for “population protection” against COVID-19 while waiting for more vaccine supplies.
The country now has four brands of COVID-19 vaccines in its inventory — Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, and Pfizer. (PNA) -jlo
