The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) on Saturday called for closer coordination between provincial local government units (LGUs) and the Department of Health (DOH) following a shortage of syringes used for COVID-19 vaccinations.
Interviewed at the Laging Handa public briefing, Quirino Governor and ULAP President Dakila “Dax” Cua said there was one instance where COVID-19 vaccines were delivered without the syringes in one region, and the regional government was not advised in advance.
“Ang susi lang talaga diyan (The key really) is closer coordination between the LGUs and DOH,” Cua said.
“Kung mabigay nila ‘yung syringe, mababakuna namin ‘yan. Kung masabihan kami nang maaga, puwede naman kaming mag-procure. Pero siyempre kung hindi namin alam at hindi namin napaghandaan din, wala talagang syringe na maibabagay sa ating bakuna,” he added.
(If they could provide us with the syringes, then we could proceed with the vaccination. If we are notified in advance, we could procure. But of course, if we are unaware and we are not prepared at all, there will be no syringes for the vaccines.)
In contrast, Cua pointed to the availability of syringes in other regions.
“So I think these were just a matter of pockets of management,” Cua said.
Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez appealed to LGUs to find “creative ways” to deal with the shortage of syringes being used for COVID-19 inoculations.
“It is a learning experience. We can always have some stock of syringes on standby, even if the national government guaranteed the syringes together with the COVID-19 vaccines. The LGUs will stock some syringes to ensure the continuity of the vaccination operation,” Cua said regarding Galvez’s appeal.
The DOH meanwhile on Friday said it had already placed 44 million orders of syringes through the United Nations Children’s Fund earlier this year, in anticipation of a shortage in the item for COVID-19 vaccination.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH ordered 44 million .3 ml syringes. However, the delivery of the order has been delayed due to the global shortage. —DVM/KG, GMA News
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