Sen. Binay slams DOH for delayed COVID-19 case reports, kit shortage

Senator Nancy Binay has criticized the Department of Health (DOH) for its delayed announcements regarding COVID-19 cases and the insufficient supply of testing kits.

Binay expressed frustration that unofficial reports through social media and messaging apps often precede official DOH announcements, leading to public confusion and distrust.

She highlighted a specific instance where a school in Bonifacio Global City needed to disinfect due to a rumored case that was only officially confirmed late at night, without initial details.

The senator questioned the DOH's preparedness for potential local transmission, noting the limited number of available testing kits for the country's large population.

DOH representatives acknowledged the challenges in timely information dissemination and stated their ongoing efforts to acquire more testing kits.

Despite assurances, Binay remained concerned about the adequacy of the P43 million requested for additional testing kits, emphasizing the critical role of testing in understanding the extent of the outbreak.

The article also notes that President Duterte declared a State of Public Health Emergency following the confirmation of local transmission and a rise in COVID-19 cases.