Public urged to avoid hoarding medical oxygen tanks: DOH

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MANILA – Health Secretary Francisco Duque III urged the public on Wednesday to stop hoarding medical oxygen tanks to prevent “artificial shortage” amid the risk of a possible spike of Covid-19 cases because of the Delta variant.

“Ang aking pakisusap hayaang lang na umikot ang mga tanke ng oxygen. Kasi ‘pag tinago mo mawawala sa circulation ang oxygen tank na yun so mababawasan yan at pwedeng magkaroon ng artificial shortage. Yan po ang ating tinutugunan (My appeal is to allow the oxygen tanks to circulate in the market because if you’ll hoard these oxygen tanks, the supply will decrease and there will be an artificial shortage. That’s what we are addressing),” Duque said during the ceremonial turnover of five modular hospital units at the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City.

Individuals should not buy oxygen tanks for home use, according to Duque.

“Hindi po pwede magtago o maghoard ang mga indibidwal ng mga oxygen tanks dahil una it is prescribed by doctors, it is a medicine hindi pwedeng bumili kung saan-saan lang (It is not advisable for individuals to store and hoard oxygen tanks because, first, it is prescribed by doctors, it is a medicine–you cannot buy it anywhere),” he said.

He stated the health department has already given rules on how to handle oxygen properly.

“Please lang po ‘wag tayong mag-hoard kung hindi po kinakailangan at makinig po tayo sa ating mga doktor hindi naman po pwedeng sila ay basta-basta na lang mag-prescribe lang kung walang malinaw na indikasyon (Please avoid hoarding if it’s not necessary and listen to our doctors because they can’t just prescribe without clear indications),” he said.

Meanwhile, Duque said the government is meeting with oxygen manufacturers and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on a regular basis to prepare for a possible surge in Covid-19 cases due to a more infectious Delta variant.

The oxygen manufacturers, according to Duque, have committed to preparing their resources and supplies of oxygen tanks.

“In terms of unit measurements kung 203 tonnages per daily ang nauubos sa normal na sitwasyon. Kung magsi-surge ay makakaya nila times three–up to 605 tonnages per day (In terms of unit measurements, if 203 tonnages per day are needed during normal situations, they can make up to 605 tonnages daily which are three times higher than the needed oxygen during normal situation),” he said.

Duque noted that the oxygen manufacturing companies have begun importing oxygen tanks or cylinders.

The health department anticipates a two-fold increase of Covid-19 infections in the coming months, compared to the previous surge in March and April.

Duque also said President Rodrigo Duterte is considering tax relief for manufacturers of medical-grade oxygen.

House committees to hold hearings during break

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Spread the loveMANILA – The House of Representatives has authorized for its committees to conduct hearings during the five-week congressional break, extending until late April.

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