DOH says 12,000 more PPE sets arrived, up for distribution

MANILA, Philippines — Around 12,000 procured sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) have arrived in the country and are scheduled for distribution to various hospitals, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III said Tuesday.

In a virtual press briefing, Duque said the newly-procured PPE sets arrived last night and currently inspected by the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management.

After inspection, the protective gear will be turned over to the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) for distribution to health workers on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier tasked OCD to manage government resources as the country grapples with highly contagious respiratory illness.

DOH has purchased one million sets of PPE worth P1.8 billion, 15,000 sets of which already arrived and were distributed to the AFP Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, Philippine General Hospital, and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital.

The remaining PPE sets are scheduled to arrive between April 6 and 24, according to DOH.

On Tuesday afternoon, DOH reported 104 new COVID-19 cases in the country, bringing the country’s total infection to 3,764. Meanwhile, a total of 84 patients were able to recover although 177 have died.