Legarda hails P1.16-B budget approval for dengue patients

MANILA –Senator Loren Legarda hailed the Senate’s approval of the proposed PHP1.16 billion supplemental budget to fund the medical assistance programs for dengue patients. The measure was passed on third and final reading with 18 affirmative votes.

“This measure will provide medical assistance for hospitalization and outpatient care services to all dengue patients, including those who received the Dengvaxia vaccine,” said Legarda, sponsor of the bill and chair of the Senate committee on finance.

“Through this, we hope to, somehow, allay fears of the almost 900,000 individuals who were administered with the Dengvaxia vaccine. The Senate version, in fact, widened the scope of the medical assistance program, in terms of beneficiaries, as well as covered areas,” she said.

The Department of Health will issue the guidelines on how to avail of medical assistance program.

The funding, which will come from the amount refunded to the Philippine government by Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur, through its local distributor Zuellig Pharma, is valid until Dec. 31, 2019.

Meanwhile, Legarda said she will oversee the use of funds to ensure that the medical assistance needed by dengue patients is properly given.

“The health of our people deserves to be on top of government priorities. We need to ensure that dengue patients are helped, processing is fast, monitoring is accurate and, hopefully, prevent further deaths and illnesses of those administered with the vaccine,” Legarda said. (Senate PR/PNA)

Popular

PBBM lauds education milestones, vows to further improve welfare of learners, teachers

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. praised the various achievements of his administration stemming from sweeping reforms on education, in his speech...

PBBM assures gov’t support to homeless Filipinos, reaffirms commitment to ending hunger

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said that the administration, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), will intensify...

PBBM vows gov’t response on electricity, water issues

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed to work on addressing issues related to energy and water in his speech at the...

DepEd, DICT to bring internet connectivity in all PH public schools —PBBM

By Brian Campued On the heels of the launching of the National Fiber Backbone Phases 2 and 3 this month, the government is relentless in...