DOH belies claims of deaths due to Dengvaxia

We observed no such thing during our visits to the hospitals for almost two weeks. I didn’t see what others were saying that there were several deaths. it is far from the truth,” Duque said in an interview with the media in his visit to the Quezon City General Hospital (QCGH). (PNA photo)

MANILA — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday belied claims of some groups that there are several children injected with dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, have been hospitalized and dying in medical facilities.

Duque said this was based on the Department of Health’s (DOH) initial assessment during their recent visits to some hospitals to check up on children admitted to such facilities due to Dengvaxia vaccination.

“Malayo yata dun wala tayung nakikitang ganun. Sa aking pagdalaw sa mga hospitals na halos dalawang linggo na. Nakita ko wala naman yung sinasabi ng mga iba na marami namamatay, malayo sa katotohanan (We observed no such thing during our visits to the hospitals for almost two weeks. I didn’t see what others were saying that there were several deaths. it is far from the truth),” Duque said in an interview with the media in his visit to the Quezon City General Hospital (QCGH).

He said that based on his visit and conversation with the hospital director and patients there were no Dengvaxia vaccinees that are currently admitted at QCGH.

He added that based also on the records of QCGH as basis, the current patients that under treatment for dengue cases only totaled to about four.

All of them were not even recipients of the Dengvaxia vaccine, he said.

“E ngayon nga lang dito sa hospital na ito walang Dengvaxia dengue cases, zero. Ang meron tayo dengue cases, four (At this hospital alone, there are no Dengvaxia dengue cases, zero. We have here are dengue cases, four),” Duque added.

Based on the hospital records, from January to February, there were only a total of 16 cases of Dengvaxia vaccinees who were brought there and were treated, he said.

Duque has been doing hospital visits to ensure that there are Dengvaxia fast lanes for a patient who has symptoms of dengue.

He also wanted to check if the guidelines that they have set up are being followed in the actual grounds operations by hospitals.

In his visit, Duque asked parents if they have some complaints regarding the hospital services, assuring the patients that PhilHealth would cover fees for dengue cases and Medicine Assistance Program of DOH is also available if the health insurance firm could not cover other related expenses for treatment.

Some of the hospitals that DOH visited in Metro Manila were San Lazaro Hospital, Dr. Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Philippine Children Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Tondo Medical Center and Ospital ng Maynila.