Go to DoH: Prepare for rise in flu-like cases

SEN. Christopher «Bong» Go urged the Department of Health (DoH) to prepare for the reported increase in flu-like cases in the country.

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, the senator raised concern over the increasing respiratory illnesses in other regions since mid-October, particularly among children.

In a chance interview on December 8 in Pamplona, Cagayan, Go expressed support for a possible inquiry into the government's preparedness in handling increasing influenza cases.

«I am willing to call for a hearing on this to learn about the preparedness of the Department of Health regarding the rising cases of influenza and how to address this problem because we don't want this to worsen and affect our countrymen,» Go said.

Go mentioned the bills he filed to improve the country's health programs and capability to handle infectious diseases.

During the 18th Congress, he filed Senate Bill (SB) 196 establishing the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines so that the country would have the capability to manufacture its own vaccines.

Also, the senator filed SB 195 creating the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor infectious diseases.

He stressed the importance of being proactive and prepared, drawing lessons from the challenges the health system faced during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said there is «no outbreak» of the so-called walking pneumonia — a mild form of flu — in the country.

Despite this, Go asked Filipinos to be vigilant and to adhere to health protocols, including the voluntary use of masks.

He also cited the role of Malasakit Centers and super health centers in providing accessible health care and early disease detection, especially in light of these recent health concerns.