The Department of Health (DOH) is under scrutiny after photos emerged showing expired medicines worth millions of pesos allegedly buried in a landfill. The images, presented during a Senate Finance Committee hearing, raised concerns about waste management and resource allocation within the agency. Senator Raffy Tulfo highlighted the issue, questioning officials on the disposal of outdated medical supplies.
The incident comes amid rising leptospirosis cases, linked to heavy rains and flooding in the region. While the DOH has acknowledged the surge in infections, the controversy over expired drugs has overshadowed its public health response. Officials have not yet provided detailed explanations for the disposal method, leaving questions about transparency and accountability.
The situation has sparked calls for stricter oversight of medical supply chains and waste management practices. With public health challenges mounting, the DOH faces pressure to address both the immediate health crisis and the broader issue of resource mismanagement.
