Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Health Christopher “Bong” Go appealed to medical experts, health advocates, and government officials to work together to come up with safe, effective, and science-driven viable solutions to further address COVID-19.
While he welcomed the initiatives of various sectors who expressed willingness to share their expertise and contribute to the collective efforts to overcome the crisis, Go also reminded them to cooperate with the government as it continues to adopt a whole-of-nation approach in dealing with various issues.
“Bawat isa sa atin ay may ginagampanang papel sa laban kontra COVID-19. Bagama’t ginagawa ng gobyerno ang lahat upang mapagaan ang hirap na pinapasan ng ating mga kababayan, tandaan din natin na hindi ito laban ng gobyerno lamang. Laban ito ng buong sambayanang Pilipino at ng buong mundo,” he said.
“Kaya bilang mga lingkod-bayan, dapat maging bukas ang ating puso’t isipan, hindi lamang sa ating pagtulong sa kapwa, kundi pati na rin sa pagtanggap ng tulong mula sa mga iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan na gustong makisama sa bayanihan at mag-ambag sa ating pangkalahatang layunin na malampasan ang krisis na ating hinaharap,” he added.
In particular, Go lauded the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte and concerned government agencies to initiate clinical trials for the use of Ivermectin, along with other related drugs, in order to determine its safety and efficacy in preventing and combating COVID-19
“Maraming nagtatanong ukol sa posibleng paggamit ng Ivermectin at iba pang gamot kontra COVID-19. Maganda na mapag-aralan ito dahil maraming mga kababayan natin ang desperado na at naghahanap ng mas mura at mas epektibong paraan upang labanan ang sakit,” he said.
“Gayunpaman, kailangan nating respetuhin ang mga eksperto na mas nakakaalam, at ang mga proseso na dapat sundin ayon sa batas, upang masigurong ligtas at epektibo ang mga ito bago gamitin ng mga tao,” he clarified.
Given the hardships caused by the pandemic, Go said that Filipinos are in need of alternative options to protect themselves and their loved ones from sickness.
“Kaya patuloy akong umaapela na mapakinggan nang husto ng gobyerno ang mga grupong naghahain ng iba’t ibang suhestyon na nais lamang makatulong. Magkaroon tayo ng maayos na dayalogo at siyentipikong pag-aaral ukol sa mga posibleng makatulong sa ating laban kontra COVID-19,” he said.
“Ang importante dito ay huwag nating pahirapan ‘yung mga nais tumulong. Huwag din natin ipagkait sa taumbayan ang benepisyo na pwede nilang makuha mula sa mga posibleng solusyon sa ating mga suliranin. Lahat naman tayo ay iisa lang ang layunin at ‘yun ay ang makapagligtas ng buhay ng kapwa tao,” he added.
During a presentation given on Monday, April 19, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said the trials will provide health officials with a “more reliable estimate of the effects of Ivermectin as an anti-viral agent in mild and moderate (COVID-19) patients”. At present, there are 20 “almost completed” and 40 “ongoing” clinical trials on Ivermectin in other parts of the world, according to the DOST.
Senator Go previously urged health officials to thoroughly assess varying views and facilitate a scientific study on the possible uses, side effects and risks of Ivermectin as a potential medication for treating COVID-19 in accordance with the law.
“Let me clarify that I am not advocating for the use of any specific drug. We have regulatory processes in place that must be followed to protect the welfare of the public,” said Go.
“However, we must keep an open mind so that Filipinos can be given access to any drug that may help prevent or cure COVID-19 as long as it has undergone the right process and is scientifically proven safe and effective,” he continued.
Moreover, Go said that the whole nation must unite and learn from these experiences, identify gaps in government response mechanisms, and be more proactive in preparing for other similar crises in the future.
“Matuto na tayo sa mga pinagdaanan natin nitong pandemya para maging mas handa ang bansa sa anumang posibleng krisis na darating sa mga susunod na taon. Tulad ng Pangulo, magtiwala tayo sa mga eksperto at maging bukas ang ating isipan,” he said.
“Hikayatin natin ang lahat na maging parte ng solusyon kaysa sayangin ang oras sa pagbabatikos. Suportahan din natin ang ating mga lider na walang ibang hangarin kundi magserbisyo,” he urged. (PR)
