More than a year into the pandemic, and despite earnest efforts and investments to combat the virus, COVID-19 continues to bring untold damage to individuals, communities, and nations. The global crisis has put to test the world’s health systems and has threatened social structures and economies.

Science tells us that a robust vaccination program is the single most effective way to stop the spread of the virus. Because of this, we saw scientists, governments and private corporations working together at an unprecedented pace of vaccine development.

Several factors, however, pose a threat to the achievement of herd immunity in the Philippines. Our access to vaccines from the global market has been far from ideal. Moreover, the emergence of the more transmissible Delta variant has overturned whatever progress we may have had in inoculating our people. As a result, the virus is likely to remain prevalent even as we are doing all we can to vaccinate as many Filipinos as possible.

So long as this threat looms large, recovery will elude us.

There is thus a need for an innovative, accelerated, cross-sectoral and cost-effective approach to healthcare if we are to confront this lingering crisis decisively. Experts are racing against time to find multiple prevention and treatment options alongside vaccine rollout programs. These efforts are designed to protect the most vulnerable segments of the population and to prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed.

Program
 
Opening Remarks
Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit
President, Stratbase ADR Institute
 
Current State of COVID-19 Response and the Unmet Needs
Dr. Benjamin G. Co, FPPS, FPSECP
Pediatrics & Clinical Pharmacology Specialist, Asian Hospital and Medical Center
 
COVID-19 Treatment Options for Ambulatory and Hospitalized Patients
Dr. Rontgene Solante, FPCP, FPSMID
Chief, Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Unit, San Lazaro Hospital
 
Addressing the Gaps in Government Funded Interventions Against COVID-19
Dr. Esperanza I. Cabral
Former Secretary, Department of Health
 
Augmenting the LGUs Response and Influencing the COVID-19 Containment Through Innovative Treatments
Dr. Michael Tee, MHPED, MBA
Vice-Chancellor for Planning & Development, University of the Philippines – Manila
 
Adapting the Hospital Infrastructure to Better Manage and Protect Patients and Frontline Health Workers amid COVID-19 Surge
Dr. Evan Glen S. Vista, FPCP, FPRA
Internal Medicine Specialist (Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology), St. Luke’s Medical Center
 
COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines in Health Facilities and Barriers to Patients Access 
Ms. Hazel Docuyanan, MSHP
Chief Pharmacy Officer, Makati Medical Center
 
Closing Remarks
Mr. Orlando Oxales
Lead Convenor, CitizenWatch Philippines;
Convenor, Universal Healthcare (UHC) Watch
 
Moderator:
Mr. Francesco “Paco” Pangalangan
Executive Director, Stratbase ADR Institute