DOH says ‘good condition’ face shields given to medical workers

According to the Department of Health (DOH) Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, the agency distributed good condition face shields to the healthcare workers.

Vergeire gave her remarks after a Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. official's revelation during the Senate hearing that their firm had altered the expiry dates of the government-procured face shields from 2020 to 2021 due to "supply concern." 

Pharmally gained several contracts worth over ₱8 billion from the government, including those allegedly "overpriced" face masks and face shields.

"Kailangan lang ho natin i-validate if these deliveries ay talagang nagkaroon ng mga ganitong kakulangan," Vergeire added, "But as far as DOH is concerned, whatever we were able to deliver to all of our healthcare workers ay maayos po (were in good condition).”

Vergeire also mentioned that the health department does not accept damaged medical supplies by inspecting the materials.

She said that it may not be dangerous to use expired face shields but health workers should only utilize equipment that are proven protective.

"Kailangan siyempre kumpleto at maayos ang maibibigay natin sa kanilang mga gamit para sila ay protektado sa sakit," she said.