Number of children having children rising – PopCom
The number of children having children or those who are below 15 years old that are getting pregnant doubled in 10 years, the Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) reported. …
Health and Medicine
DOH: PH needs P12.9 billion to buy COVID-19 vaccines
The Department of Health (DOH) said Friday that the Philippines needs P12.9 billion to buy COVID-19 vaccines. Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje revealed the figures during the DOH’s 2021 budget briefing …
Doctors’ group: Lift all lockdowns, use HCQ treatment
Concerned Doctors and Citizens of the Philippines (CDCph) appealed to the government to lift all lockdowns and use HCQ treatment and early intervention instead to prevent the spread of COVID-19. …
FDA chief surprised Reno liver spread is not registered
Food and Drug Administration Director-General Eric Domingo himself was surprised that the popular liver spread Reno is not registered in the FDA. “Pati po ako nagulat nang dumating ang initial …
SC junks petition for COVID-19 mass testing
The Supreme Court (SC) scrapped a petition seeking the tribunal to require the government to conduct proactive COVID-19 mass testing, contact tracing and isolation, and effective treatment of patients. In …
Unlimited dialysis through PhilHealth to end after Sept. 15
The unlimited dialysis through PhilHealth will end after September 15, as the state of calamity declared over the country is lifted after six months since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the …
Over 230k contact tracers hired, 50k more needed – Año
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Wednesday the government already hired over 238,000 contact tracers but still needs 50,000 more to help the country fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Año said in …
Home quarantine for asymptomatic, mild cases continues
The Department of Health (DOH) is unlikely to prohibit home quarantine for asymptomatic and mild cases of COVID-19 despite the possibility that such measures could have contributed to community transmission …
90 percent of Sinovac employees, families given CoronaVac – CEO
The chief executive officer (CEO) of Sinovac Biotech Ltd. said around 90 percent of its employees and their families joined the phase 3 trial of CoronaVac, the COVID-19 vaccine the …
Pharma chiefs not cutting corners in Covid-19 vaccine race
Pharmaceutical firm chiefs vowed that they will not bring to market any Covid-19 vaccine or treatment that do not meet strict safety and efficiency standards. Globally, governments are hoping …
PH clinical trials for Avigan anti-flu drug delayed again
The clinical trials for the Japanese anti-flu drug Avigan in the Philippines as a possible coronavirus treatment have been delayed once again. Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire …
Metro Manila remains tight under GCQ until September 30
Metro Manila will remain under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) until September 30, according to the announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force …
Solon to DOH: Discourage rapid test for COVID-19 screening
Cagayan De Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez urged the Department of Health to discourage the use of the rapid test for COVID-19 screening and promote the use of swab test …
COVID-19 vaccine trials volunteer to be compensated – DOST
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Wednesday individuals who would volunteer for the COVID-19 vaccine trials in the country would receive compensation. Dr. Jaime Montoya, executive director of the …
‘No solid evidence’ yet that new coronavirus strain more infectious – DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) said Monday that there is no “solid evidence” yet that new coronavirus strain recently detected in the country is more contagious. According to Health Undersecretary …
‘Globally dominant’ novel coronavirus strain detected in Philippines
The Philippine Genome Center (PGC) reported a more contagious and “globally dominant” strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was detected in the Philippines. PCG …
Lipa, Batangas guarding against dengue amid pandemic
Due to the rainy season, the local government of Lipa City, Batangas, is guarding against dengue amid the COVID-19 pandemic, after it reached the outbreak level last year. In August …
DOLE chief rejects IATF’s plan on smoking ban
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III rejected the Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF-EID) plan on the smoking ban as a measure to control the spread of COVID-19 in …
Sputnik V could be available in Philippines by April 2021
Sputnik V, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Russia, could be available for public consumption in the Philippines by April 2021, an official said after a recent meeting with the said …
FDA: COVID-19 vaccine could be available by end of 2020
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) director general and Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said Thursday a COVID-19 vaccine could be available by the end of 2020. Domingo said in an interview …
House approves bill giving free medical annual checkup for Filipinos
The House Committee on Health approved Wednesday a bill aiming to give free annual medical checkups for Filipinos. Anakalusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor authored House Bill 4093, or the proposed …
WHO in talks with Russia for new COVID-19 vaccine
The World Health Organization (WHO) said it is discussing with Russia health authorities for possible WHO prequalification of its new COVID-19 vaccine, a WHO spokesperson said Tuesday. “It’s vital that …
Use Facebook, social media for contact tracing – Defensor
Anakalusugan party-list Representative Michael Defensor suggested Friday authorities should utilize Facebook and other social media platforms to improve contact tracing efforts of the Philippines amid the COVID-19 crisis. On Thursday, …
DOST official: Earliest COVID-19 vaccine possibly available by July 2021
An official of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said the vaccine for COVID-19 could be available in the Philippines by July 2021. “Pinakamaaga na magkakaroon tayo ng vaccine …
COVID-19 vaccine allocation not yet final – DOH
Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said Friday the Philippines had not finalized the number of COVID-19 vaccine that would be given to Filipinos. The government earlier allocated funds for the country’s …
20 million Filipinos to receive free COVID-19 vaccine
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Friday at least 20 million Filipinos would get a free COVID-19 vaccine once it is developed. Dominguez made the announcement during the briefing in …