Thousands receive free COVID-19 consultation, care packages from VP Leni’s

Bayanihan E-Konsulta

Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday, January 11, said that a total of 10,142 care kits have been sent to individuals who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since her office launched the Bayanihan E-Konsulta program in April last year.
In a Facebook Live, Robredo said that most of these COVID-19 care kits were sent during the past few days following a sudden spike in coronavirus cases caused by the highly contagious Omicron variant.
The Bayanihan E-Konsulta COVID-19 care kit includes a thermometer, oximeter, medicines such as paracetamol, oral solution for dehydration, vitamins C and D3, carbocisteine, oral antiseptic, as well as a box of face masks, a bottle of alcohol, garbage bags, and disinfectant. There is also a two-week monitoring sheet for patients where they will fill in their daily temperature, oxygen saturation, and symptoms.
Bayanihan E-Konsulta also offers free molnupiravir, a COVID-19 treatment pill, to qualified patients for as long as it is prescribed by the program’s volunteer doctors.
Robredo said the Bayanihan E-Konsulta would want to cater to more people but the OVP’s meager resources also limit the program’s reach.
Currently, Bayanihan E-Konsulta can only accommodate a little over 400 sign ups a day. It is also available only in the NCR plus bubble, which covers Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.
The Vice President said following the latest surge that started last week, the slots are always filled up within minutes. She asked for the public’s understanding that Bayanihan E-Konsulta could not accommodate everyone who needs its services.
“Masama din sa loob namin na hindi namin nake-cater lahat pero limited po kasi ‘yung ating resources. Limited din po ‘yung tao kasi nga po ang daming may sakit ngayon, so we make do with what we have,” Robredo said.
Robredo reiterated her call for more volunteers for Bayanihan E-Konsulta.
“‘Yung amin pong panawagan na kung mas marami ‘yung puwedeng mag-volunteer, ‘yung mga nasa bahay po ngayon, hindi naman po kinakailangan every day. Kahit po once a week lang, kahit ilang oras lang a week ‘yung ma-volunteer, malaking tulong na po para sa mga pasyente namin,” Robredo said.

The Bayanihan E-Konsulta program is one of the pillars of the OVP’s COVID response initiative. They include the free antigen testing provided by the OVP Swab Cab and the assistance to LGU COVID-19 vaccination efforts extended by the Vaccine Express. [End]