DOH wants DBM to procure dengue kits

FILE: Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (Photo: Department of Health (Philippines)/Facebook)

MANILA –The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said it has coordinated with the Department of Budget Management (DBM) regarding the procedures on procurement of dengue kits that will be given to families with children vaccinated with Dengvaxia.

“Sabi ko kay Secretary (Benjamin) Diokno mas maganda na sila na lang ang mag-procure (I talked to Secretary Diokno and told him that it will be better if they will be the one who will do the procurement),” said DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III in a press briefing held at East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City.

Duque has been making hospital rounds to ensure the swift response of government hospitals to possible dengue cases especially those children vaccinated with Dengvaxia.

Duque said that it will be better if the procurement will be done by DBM’s Bids and Awards Committee.

“They know this much better, siguro, sila na lang kasi kami busy rin ang mga tao namin at kaunti lang mga tao namin sa Central Office at Regional Offices,” said Duque.

He added that they want DBM to do procurement while DOH concentrates on monitoring, surveillance, patient care, patient referral, and risks communication strategies.

Duque said that letting DBM do the procurement of dengue kits will also protect the agency and its officials from being dragged into controversies or questionable transactions just like what happened to the procurement of dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

“So sumang-ayon naman si Budget Sec Diokno pero para lang sigurado tayo na ‘di naman tayo lumalabag sa mga COA rules and regulations,” he added.

Provision of dengue kits was one of the requests of parents of children who were vaccinated with Dengvaxia during DOH dialogue.

Contents of dengue kit include thermometer, insect repellant, and multivitamins.

Duque said they will be needing at least PHP324 million for the procurement of said kits. DOH is looking at sourcing the funds from the refund PHP1.161 billion of the unused Dengvaxia vaccine, he said.

Prior to this, he said that they also had sent letter of requests to Senate and House of Representatives for the utilization of portion of the refunded amount to be part of the agency’s regular budget for monitoring the health conditions of the vaccinated children.