DOH distributes N95 face masks, surgical masks to hospitals

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has distributed 56,000 pieces of N95 face masks and 59,000 surgical masks to hospitals that have requested for additional personal protective equipment (PPEs) they urgently need in caring for patients confirmed to have or are suspected to have the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In a televised press briefing on Tuesday, Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said DOH personnel are also packing additional sets of PPEs that would be distributed to hospitals that have reported shortage in supply of protective equipment.

Vergeire noted that PPEs are also composed of goggles or face shields, gloves, gowns, and boots, but the DOH distributes whatever it has in hand while waiting for the supply for these items and other donations.

“Dahil hindi po sabay-sabay ang dating ng ating mga donasyon o ng kagamitan na ibinibigay sa atin, nilalabas na lang po namin kung ano muna ang meron tayo para maproteksyunan ang healthcare workers kahit papaano,” she said.

(Because the arrival of donations and other items does not come in simultaneously, we release those available so that our health workers can be protected somehow.)

She added the health department is also completing the sets to be distributed to frontliners. Additional orders of PPEs are also arriving, as the DOH processes requests of other hospitals for the supply, said Vergeire.

According to the DOH official, a large chunk of the additional budget given to the department for response efforts to the COVID-19 crisis will also be allotted to the procurement of PPEs.