Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Nurses Mariane Lagon and Jane Jimenez prepare a batch of Tuberculosis medicines at the  Batasan Programmatic Management of Drug resistant Tuberculosis (PMDT) in Batasan Hills in Quezon City on September 28, 2021. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

HEALTH- Tuberculosis

Gracie Rutao

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177440964706420210928-tuberculosis-health-center-JC-045941080.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Nurses Mariane Lagon and Jane Jimenez prepare a batch of Tuberculosis medicines at the  Batasan Programmatic Management of Drug resistant Tuberculosis (PMDT) in Batasan Hills in Quezon City on September 28, 2021. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa on Wednesday warned that rising tensions in the Middle East could drive up the cost of medicines and hospitalization in the country.</p><p>Herbosa said the government is closely monitoring the situation, as he raised concerns about potential disruptions in the delivery of imported medicines and medical supplies, which may lead to shortages.</p><p>“Ang fear namin... ay magmamahal ang gamot, magmamahal ang hospitalization, kawawa ang ating kababayan. Hindi lang yun, baka magka-shortage,&quot; he said.</p><p>In response, the DOH has initiated emergency preparedness measures, including inventory checks and contingency planning, to ensure sufficient stock of medicines and other essential medical supplies.</p><p>&quot;Pinapagawan ko ng emergency planning at pinapa-inventory ko ang mga gamot, tsaka mga supplies kasi kapag nagkagulo sa Middle East baka hindi umabot dito ang mga kailangan nating next delivery ng gamot or kung umabot man baka kagaya ng gasolina na napakamahal.”</p><p>Despite these concerns, Herbosa clarified that there is currently no shortage.</p><p>However, he emphasized the importance of acting early to avoid a larger crisis.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EESiSyfy3Uk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jk5wVCZX1oY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Department of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Wednesday warned that rising tensions in the Middle East could drive up the cost of medicines and hospitalization in the country.</p>

Department of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Wednesday warned that rising tensions in the Middle East could drive up the cost of medicines and hospitalization in the country.

Middle East war may affect medicine supply, hospitalization cost in PH—DOH

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Middle East war may affect medicine supply, hospitalization cost in PH—DOH

Gracie Rutao

Published March 25, 2026 11:38 AM PHT

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