DOH Is Not Doing Enough
The Department of Health (DOH) should be called out for its failure to take charge of the fight against Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19.
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The Department of Health (DOH) should be called out for its failure to take charge of the fight against Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19.
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Even after announcement that it will head the enhanced community quarantine covering Luzon, the agency remained pretty much behind. Rather than be the main voice that would guide the executive branch in its actions, the Secretary instead chose to follow the Presidential caprices.
As numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths have steadily increased over the last few days, the DOH has tested less than 3000 individuals so far. In a country of 110 million people, this number is extremely small.
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Without testing, the current quarantine will be irrelevant and proper containment will be ineffective. The disease has most likely spread even before the quarantine was put in place so what DOH should do is to identify which places are being severely affected and
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which places need the appropriate help.
Even in terms of medical supplies like PPEs, much needed but also very much lacking, initiatives from private individuals and groups have taken most of the slack left behind by an obvious failure in preparation and forward thinking.
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Even in terms of medical supplies like PPEs, much needed but also very much lacking, initiatives from private individuals and groups have taken most of the slack left behind by an obvious failure in preparation and forward thinking.
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The health workforce has always been a neglected aspect of the Philippine healthcare system even before COVID-19. Now, as their numbers start to dwindle, the DOH initially asked for volunteers who will be given a paltry allowance.
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This, even as billions of funds are being released in the name of combatting the disease. Only after the agency was called out that it belated announced some manner of salary.
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At this juncture, the lack of transparency and decisive leadership by the DOH is worrisome. Where are the much needed public health measures? Where are the comprehensive, integrated strategies and plans?
Simply put, the DOH is not doing enough.
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Simply put, the DOH is not doing enough.
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If the Duterte government is serious in addressing COVID-19, the DOH should take a leading role in the strictest sense of the word, being in charge rather than being its lackey.
#HealthIsARight
#HealthIsARight
