Duque commits to Gordon’s UHC suggestions

Health Secretary Francisco Duque on Friday agreed with Senator Richard J. Gordon’s suggestions to get the public to register with a primary health care provider as provided in the Universal Health Care (UHC) law.

He likewise greenlighted the conduct of a 24/7 operation for the National Covid-19 Vaccination Program.

“We will kill three birds with one stone while the vaccine is not yet here. It must be given priority, we need it,” Duque said.

As for the vaccination, Gordon said more people would be inoculated at a shorter span of time if the vaccination would be 24/7, adding that the shelf-life of the vaccines is also a consideration.

“Vaccination should be done 24/7, not just for health workers, but also for the regular citizens,” Gordon proposed to Duque during the continuation of the Committee of the Whole inquiry in the Senate.

“Start in Metro Manila where the disease is prevalent. Map all the health care providers,” the senator said.

Gordon, at the same time, offered the assistance of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in conducting the inoculations.

According to the Senator, “PRC also has sufficient volunteers who could help the DoH in implementing the vaccination drive, adding that they are already experienced, having participated in several vaccination programs, such as measles and polio, and vaccinating a total of more than one million people for both diseases.”

The senator pointed out that the PRC has a fleet of vehicles, refrigeration and cold chain facility that could be used.