Health authorities here have expressed the need for additional personal protective equipment (PPE) used by the frontliners in combating the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Dr. Leopoldo Vega, Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) medical center chief, said they are currently looking for suppliers in Manila to purchase the equipment.

“Were getting donations, but the problem is sustainability. We are looking for suppliers for PPE’s so that we will have a constant supply,” Vega said in a press briefing on Wednesday.

He added that the PPE, which mostly are disposables, can easily be procured by the government and what they are only eyeing is the right supplier.

Vega added that they are not certain as to when the fight against Covid-19 will be over and they are in dire need to be provided with the desired resources during this time.

“By that kind of strategy, the workers are given the support that they need especially the desired kind of protection so that they don’t get contaminated,” he said.

He also called on the help of donors who can provide health workers and frontliners with more PPE.

Meanwhile, Dr. Maridee Sebumpan, Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (ERID) team member of Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC), said they still have PPE supplies but also worry in case of an influx of Covid-19 cases.

“We have the PPE’s but we don’t know how long we can handle this,” she said.

Apart from PPE, Sebumpan also said that N95 masks, which are also in short supply, are also important for the frontliners.

However, she said that they are also given intervention by various institutions in terms of other needed support by the frontliners, such as food, transportation, and accommodation.

“We extend our thanks to everyone who helped us in this fight,” Sebumpan added.

SPMC and DRMC are the only two public hospitals in the region which have the capability and expertise to handle Covid-19 patients. (PNA)