‘Mapapa-wow na lang!’: Hontiveros hits DOH over millions worth of expired medicines

Discussions over the Commission on Audit’s (COA) findings on the Department of Health (DOH) have not ended yet as the deficiencies found could have helped local government units (LGUs), according to a lawmaker.

Senator Risa Hontiveros slammed the Department of Health over the procurement of P95.15 million worth of medicines and medical supplies which were not reportedly utilized because they were either expired, soon to expire, or were just held in warehouses.

“Mapapa-wow na lang lalo na ang ating mga LGUs na kulang na kulang ang stock ng gamot sa kanilang mga barangay health stations at rural health units,” Hontiveros said in an interview on Abante’s Balitaan at Kumustahan on Friday.

She underscored the health department’s importance especially now amid the COVID-19 pandemic which is why the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee immediately had a hearing on the COA report.

“Motu proprio po niya itinawag ito dahil nga sa gitna ng pandemya na di hamak ang pinakaimportanteng departamento ay ang Department of Health ay lumabas nga po yung sobrang kapansin-pansin na COA report,” she said.

She questioned why more than P10 billion has not been spent on the country’s healthcare workers, and “tens of billions of pesos” were transferred to other agencies without proper documentation.

Hontiveros said the issue on the COA report on DOH has been a really hot topic.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)