'Di minamaramot': Health dept seeks understanding on COVID-19 gear shortage

The health department on Tuesday asked for the understanding of medical workers over a shortage of gear that would protect them from the novel coronavirus. 

The agency recently received 10,000 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) that China donated and hospitals across the country requested to get a share, said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. 

Some of the agency's PPE sets had missing gear like goggles and shoe cover, he added. 

"Namomroblema kami kasi iyong global shortage e pinagkakasya natin. Hindi lang tayo -- lahat, pati pinakamayayaman na bansa ay kinakapos din. Iyong mga suppliers, manufacturing companies, hindi naman nila ito inasahan na mangyayari," he told DZMM. 

(We are making do with the global shortage. It's not just us; even the richest countries also have insufficient gear. The suppliers, manufacturing companies did not foresee this.) 

"Pagpasensyahan, humihingi po tayo ng pang-unawa. Hindi po namin minamaramot itong ating personal protective equipment. Talaga pong kinikilala natin na ang healthcare workers, sila po ang dapat unahin sa pagbibigay ng mga protective equipment," he added. 

(We ask for understanding. We are not being selfish. We acknowledge that health workers should be prioritized in the distribution of protective equipment.) 

Authorities as of Tuesday confirmed 501 cases of the disease, including 33 deaths and 19 patients who recovered. 

DZMM, March 24, 2020