PH allocates P500M to fight Ebola

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is allocating P500 million in the country’s fight against the deadly Ebola virus, Health Secretary Enrique Ona told a Senate hearing Wednesday.

Ona said the budget would be taken from its departmental quick respond fund.

Ona appeared before the committee on health and demography for the hearing of the DOH budget, which was later approved by the Senate.

Ona said the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) would be the primary hospital to handle Ebola cases.

Around 20 government hospitals will also be retrofitted to handle Ebola-stricken patients, with three to be designated specifically as treatment centers.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona. AFP FILE PHOTO

Malacanang, meanwhile, on Saturday said foreign experts on infectious diseases would come to the Philippines to help local health workers boost defense against the outbreak of Ebola.

The Manila International Airport Authority also said it has acquired protective suits for its personnel to use in the event a person infected with Ebola enters the country.
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