MANILA – Twelve Chinese medical workers
who were experts in dealing with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have
arrived in the country on Sunday afternoon, the Department of Health (DOH)
said.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the Chinese COVID-19
experts were doctors and nurses who would observe and give recommendations on
the Philippine effort against the illness.
“Sila ay mag o-obserba at magbibigay ng
recomendasyon na angkop sa hakbang upang mapabuti ang ating infection
prevention and control, critical care at
laboratories,” Vergeire said in a virtual press conference.
According to Vergeire, the Chinese medical experts will visit the Research
Institute for Tropical Medicine, the San Lazaro Hospital, and the Lung Center
of the Philippines. They will be staying in the country until April 19.
The DOH has earlier asked China, through the Philippine Embassy, to provide the
experts given that China had been the first country to be massively affected by
the global pandemic.
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte is enjoining everyone, from allies and his
critics, to help his government in addressing the coronavirus disease 2019
pandemic in the country.
This as the Chief Executive have expressed his appreciation to Vice President Maria
Leonor “Leni” Robredo for taking the initiative to provide assistance to health
workers who are sacrificing to fight COVID-19.
“Those who respond to call for unity and cooperation must be encouraged and
commended instead of being harassed by subjecting them to a mindless government
intrusion that smacks of partisan action,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador
Panelo said.
“His (Duterte) repeated calls for everybody, regardless of political beliefs to
cooperate in the government’s efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus, is
not a meaningless appeal,” he added.
In a public address on Friday, Duterte lauded Robredo for helping the medical
workers in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He also fired Presidential
Anti-Corruption Commissioner Manuelito Luna for urging the National Bureau of
Investigation to investigate Robredo’s initiative./PN
