NEDA approves P5.09-B DOH virus emergency response project

April 22 ------ The government is preparing a P5.09-billion emergency response project to further improve the country’s healthcare system against the coronavirus pandemic. Under the Department of Health (DOH) proposal, President Duterte bared plans to establish testing and quarantine centers at six major airports, equip more laboratories for coronavirus cases, and establish negative pressure rooms and isolation tents, among others. “The National Economic and Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee has approved the proposed COVID-19 Emergency Response Project of the DOH with a total project cost of P5.09 billion,” Duterte said in his fourth weekly report to Congress on the government’s efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The proposed emerging response program includes the establishment of “testing and quarantine facilities at six major international airports in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” according to the President. The health department has also proposed to build 21 first-line decontamination facilities at international airports in selected areas across the country. The proposal also involves refurbishing and establishing negative pressure isolation rooms in 70 DOH and 85 provincial public hospitals and the installation of 450 isolation tents. The project likewise includes the provision to purchase personal protective equipment sets; COVID-19 test kits; diagnostic and life support equipment such as ventilators, oxygen machines, cardiac monitors, infusion pumps, portable x-ray machines, and ambulances. Source: mb.com.ph