Davao City: Mayor Inday Sara Duterte said the families of coronavirus disease 2019 patients, such as the 17 city residents who had fully recovered from the disease, had been spared from medical expenses as their treatment was provided for free.
The 17 residents treated of the COVID-19 were among 21 patients that received free medication at the Southern Philippines Medical Center under the Philippine Health Insurance system.
As of 8 p.m. Saturday, there are still 62 COVID-19 positives from the city.
Mayor Inday said the patients or their families do not have to worry about the expenses for the treatment.
“Libre ang treatment for COVID-19 sa SPMC,” she said.
Mayor Inday said over that the city-run Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) that even if they received free treatment, the city government also helped in ensuring that the patients will fully recover.
The city government also provides free COVID-19 screening for those showing symptoms of the disease. Currently, two testing centers had been designated, the Health Center in Crossing Bayabas in Toril district and the triage in Sta. Ana.
Mayor Inday said that even if the cases in the city are rising, the public should not focus on statistics.
She said only by following the guidelines set by the city government that the number would decline.
“The only way to contain this disease is when the public follows the guidelines set by the city government,” she said.
Mayor Inday said the city was also helping isolate Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) so they would not pass the virus if they are indeed positive.
The exact number of the PUIs is not immediately known but they are currently housed at the Malagos Rehabilitation Center, Alternative Learning System (ALS) and La Vida Inn. CIO