Is Senate's Dengvaxia measure worrisome? House leader thinks so
By AJ Siytangco
Published Sep 10, 2018 04:55 pm
By Ellson Quismorio
Another high-ranking member of the House of Representatives aired his reservation over the Senate’s version of the proposed 2018 Supplemental Budget, which was supposed to serve as stand-by medical funds for Dengvaxia vaccinees.
“We’re very happy that the Senate has, at last, passed their version of the supplemental budget to fund government assistance to Dengvaxia vaccinees,” said Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus “XJ” Romualdo, who chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.
Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus “XJ” Romualdo
(Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN) “However, we are concerned about the Senate’s expanded coverage of the medical assistance program to include all dengue patients,” Romualdo underscored. Earlier, Appropriations Committee Chairman, Davao City 1st Rep. Karlo Nograles relayed to some 50 parents and relatives of Dengvaxia vaccinees the provisions in the House’s P1.161-billion Supplemental Budget that had been deleted in the Senate version. Foremost of these is the general application of the fund for the school children vaccinated with the faulty drug, and not just specifically dengue fever patients. “We understand and share the same sentiment behind this, but these patients may already receive help under the government’s regular medical assistance programs. To us, there has to be a special focus on Dengvaxia vaccinees because of the increased risk that vaccinees who haven’t had dengue before face,” Romualdo said. “Indeed, a very important part of the supplemental budget is funding for the assessment and monitoring of vaccinees. Covering all those afflicted with dengue will inevitably result in less funding and assistance per capita and thus diminish the impact of the supplemental budget,” the young solon further said. The P1.161 billion represents the partial refund made by French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur to the Philippine government earlier this year after local officials called out the company over the hospitalization and deaths of kids inoculated with Dengvaxia, which it manufactured. Dengvaxia was used by the previous Aquino administration in a massive, P3-billion anti-dengue fever program in April 2016. An estimated 900,000 children were administered with the vaccine, some as many as three doses. Some 84 vaccinees have already died due to various illnesses. The Senate passed its supplemental budget only last week, while the House version was approved way back in May. Despite his concerns, Romualdo expressed confidence that the two Chambers would come to an agreement in the upcoming Bicameral Conference Committee meetings, with the welfare of the vaccinees as the main consideration.
Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus “XJ” Romualdo(Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN) “However, we are concerned about the Senate’s expanded coverage of the medical assistance program to include all dengue patients,” Romualdo underscored. Earlier, Appropriations Committee Chairman, Davao City 1st Rep. Karlo Nograles relayed to some 50 parents and relatives of Dengvaxia vaccinees the provisions in the House’s P1.161-billion Supplemental Budget that had been deleted in the Senate version. Foremost of these is the general application of the fund for the school children vaccinated with the faulty drug, and not just specifically dengue fever patients. “We understand and share the same sentiment behind this, but these patients may already receive help under the government’s regular medical assistance programs. To us, there has to be a special focus on Dengvaxia vaccinees because of the increased risk that vaccinees who haven’t had dengue before face,” Romualdo said. “Indeed, a very important part of the supplemental budget is funding for the assessment and monitoring of vaccinees. Covering all those afflicted with dengue will inevitably result in less funding and assistance per capita and thus diminish the impact of the supplemental budget,” the young solon further said. The P1.161 billion represents the partial refund made by French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur to the Philippine government earlier this year after local officials called out the company over the hospitalization and deaths of kids inoculated with Dengvaxia, which it manufactured. Dengvaxia was used by the previous Aquino administration in a massive, P3-billion anti-dengue fever program in April 2016. An estimated 900,000 children were administered with the vaccine, some as many as three doses. Some 84 vaccinees have already died due to various illnesses. The Senate passed its supplemental budget only last week, while the House version was approved way back in May. Despite his concerns, Romualdo expressed confidence that the two Chambers would come to an agreement in the upcoming Bicameral Conference Committee meetings, with the welfare of the vaccinees as the main consideration.