The Department of Health (DOH) has announced that it has sufficient funds to respond to the new variants of COVID-19. According to DOH Undersecretary Achilles Bravo, the department has a surplus of funds that can be used for purchases to combat the COVID-19 FLiRT variant.
During a House Committee hearing, Bravo stated, “So what we will do is that we have so many funds at the DOH, even from the CONAP (Continuing Appropriations) in 2023 and the current. If there’s a need to provide something for the emerging COVID variant, we can always make some modifications within our budget.”
House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin emphasized that vaccines should be available not only for the new variant but also for other contagious diseases. She mentioned the importance of preparing for vaccination if an updated version is available, as well as ensuring availability of pneumonia, flu vaccines, and other necessary medicines.
Meanwhile, DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo mentioned that the DOH is currently studying the Kp2 and Kp3 variants of the virus. “We have money and the headline is wrong in saying that there is no money for vaccines because to begin with, we still do not know what are the Kp2 and Kp3 variants,” Domingo clarified.
For more news and updates about the coronavirus, readers can click here. It is also advised to contact the DOH Hotline at (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150 for further information on COVID-19. The Inquirer Foundation is still accepting cash donations to support healthcare frontliners. Donations can be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or via PayMaya using this link.
