OVP raises P61.8M for over 400K protective gears for health workers

The Office of the Vice President bought 411,480 personal protective equipment (PPEs) for 29,432 health frontline workers all over the country after raising P61.8 million worth of funds.

Based on its 2020 COVID-19 response report on Wednesday, the OVP was able to allocate P5 million for the purchase of PPEs.

But since the amount is not enough, OVP also sourced PPE funding from its online donation drive, "Kaya Natin Movement" that started in March 13, 2020. 

Of the 411,480 protective gear, the OVP delivered 333,675 PPEs for health workers, who were at risk in treating patients infected with the severe viral disease.

But aside from purchasing medical protective gear, the OVP managed to secure locally-made PPEs through its 16 sewing partners in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan and Cebu. 

With the need to produce more PPEs, OVP's sewing partners were able to create 44,199 medical equipment. Of the number, 27,980 were delivered to healthcare workers nationwide.

Aside from PPEs, OVP also managed to distribute 17,271 food and care packages to medical frontline workers.

Test kits

The OVP also donated COVID-19 test kits to several hospitals in the country for early detection and immediate treatment for those infected with the respiratory illness.

In March 2020, P5.32 million worth of extraction kits, which is good for 12,750 tests, were given to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa, OVP said.

Meanwhile, P14.78 million worth of test kits were dispatched to San Lazaro Hospital and V. Luna Hospital in July, and Philippine General Hospital in September.

Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan and Iloilo City COVID-19 Laboratory also received P7 million worth of test kits from OVP.

Additionally, Lanao del Sur got P4.99 million worth of test kits (good for 3,900 tests) in November last year.

In  December 2020, several test kits were also provided to Muntinlupa City, the University of the Philippines - Los Baños COVID-19 Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center, Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital in General Santos City, and Cotabato Regional and Medical Center.

Free shuttle services, dorms

Healthcare workers in the country also availed free shuttle rides from the OVP during the strict community quarantine implementation from March to April and during the month of August.

Data from OVP showed that shuttle service served 11,429 frontline from March 18 to April 14 and 8,800 passengers from August 4 to August 18.

Since March 2020, OVP also opened twelve dorms based near hospitals in Quezon City, Fairview and Manila which served 496 frontline workers and essential staff of hospitals.

OVP also established temporary shelters for health workers in Albay, Bataan, Leyte with the help of The Orient Hotels and in Baguio, with coordination with the University of Cordilleras.—Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News