Sanofi-Pasteur, the Aquino administration, and former health secretary Janette Garin must be held accountable for the Dengvaxia fiasco, according to Health Alliance for Democracy, an organization composed of doctors, nurses, midwives, health workers and other professionals. Address the chaos, and there should be punishment for deceit!
"Corporate greed and corruption have systematically put Filipino children to harm's way," said Dr. Joseph Carabeo, HEAD Secretary General. "The haste for profit and commission has put to bad light our country's vaccination programs, which are a generally useful and a preventive health intervention."
"The parents' worries remain," said Carabeo. "They ask where they will go if their child gets sick. Would there be free treatment for those who were vaccinated? These questions remain even for the general Filipino public."
"The Department of Health must therefore ensure strict monitoring, free healthcare, and check-ups for the affected population," added Carabeo. "An extensive education campaign is also necessary, while the Duterte administration must do its utmost in holding accountable the perpetrators in the Dengvaxia fiasco. These steps will help bring back the trust that was lost for vaccination programs."
HEAD also encourages our colleagues in the health profession to join forces. Take the initiative and let's go down to communities to explain and calm down the parents, conduct educational forums on vaccination to alleviate their fears.
As long as our healthcare and drug industry are dependent on big foreign pharmaceuticals, as long as government officials prioritize profit and self-interest, the people's health will suffer and the Dengvaxia fiasco will repeat itself. Corporate greed and corruption must never triumph over the people's welfare. Therefore the struggle for a free, comprehensive, and progressive healthcare is needed more than ever.##
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