DOH: COVID-19 home care package to be rolled out August 2021

A home care package for COVID-19 patients will be rolled out this month, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.

The agency first said that it was formulating a home care package in April this year. 

“The home care package is set to be published by the end of August 2021,” the DOH said.

“PhilHealth is also in coordination with the DILG for the orientation of BHERTs nationwide this month in preparation for the package's rollout,” it added, referring to the barangay health teams whose creation was ordered by the Interior Department in 2020.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said PhilHealth, the state insurer, is still finalizing the package.

She previously said the package would contain “basics” like vitamins and paracetamol as well as instructions on how to seek medical consultation through telemedicine providers.

Vergeire also advised the public against taking antibiotics without a prescription and buying oxygen tanks unless needed.

The One Hospital Command Center, a referral service for healthcare providers, may be reached through hotline 1555, 02-886-505-00, 0915-777-7777, or 0919-977-3333. — Julia Mari Ornedo/RSJ, GMA News