Charles Teves
A 57-year old woman has been infected with the coronavirus after taking a dose of ivermectin, the controversial anti-parasitic drug for animals.
3 frontline workers in Barangay Matandang Balara, Quezon City saw no negative effects after taking the drug. They received ivermectin following its distribution by Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor and Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta.
“Wala naman po akong naramdaman na nahilo ako, nagsuka ako, wala naman pong ganu’n… Siyempre precaution is better than cure,” one Rico Abogadie said.
However, not everyone will have the same experience as the three barangay workers. An elderly woman also took the drug but caught COVID-19 two weeks after.
Five days after getting infected, she took another dose upon the recommendation of her friends.
“On the 6th or 7th day nu’ng symptoms niya, nag-start siyang mag-worsen… That was the time na sinabihan na niya kami na hanapan na daw siya ng ospital, hindi na niya kaya, sobrang sama na ng pakiramdam niya,” said her daughter, Anne.
She entered the ICU and required intubation. It was at the hospital when health workers found out that she self-medicated with the said drug.
“Talagang ano na medyo kritikal na ‘yung case niya nu’n… If ganu’n kasi, for me, it just means the ivermectin did not work at all… Thankfully after 3 weeks in the hospital ok naman na siya ngayon, she was able to recover,” Anne said.
Netizens quickly went after Defensor, an advocate for the use of ivermectin.
Bakit po kaya @MikeDefensor https://t.co/4KUysX7S6v
— Jai Cabajar (@jaicabajar) May 7, 2021
Thanks, Mike Defensor. At least there's a subject now of a study that your Ivermectin did not do well. 😁 https://t.co/6EAojGRCRE
— Henry Delgado 💉📝🧑⚕️ (@drhenry4) May 7, 2021
Congratulation sir @MikeDefensor. Makasuhan ka sana sa illegal mo gawain.
— Michael Go (@activistblogger) May 7, 2021
Paging Dr. @MikeDefensor anu na wala ba pa community pantry ng invermectin dyan?
— bdc (@alterni_b) May 7, 2021
Many think that both congressmen are unqualified to give health recommendations.
Marcoleta at Mike Defensor mga Congressman n pumatay sa franchise ng ABS…ngaun mga Doctor n rin…mga kupal at bugok
— ImJhey (@imjhey09) May 6, 2021
Any comment from the guys who shut down abs cbn? Musta “law is law” natin?
— Lewis Wong Jr. (@levy_wong) May 6, 2021
Ano ang ginamot nya? Di ba Ivermectin should only be taken to cure Covid? Bakit ininom na di pa positive? Yan tayo e.
— TD (@HugeJackolman) May 6, 2021
Defensor, Marcoleta left the universe! https://t.co/5lSm626xGP
— Mackoy Yubili #DUTERTEPALPAK! #OUSTDUTERTE! (@thebigmack27) May 7, 2021
According to Dr. Iggy Agbayani, ivermectin has anti-viral properties which may make it a viable option against COVID-19.
Anne’s mother might have taken the wrong dosage and could be suffering from pre-existing conditions.
Health reform advocate Dr. Tony has advised against self-medication, even when other health professionals recommend its use.
“Ang dami niyan na nagse-self medicate or because of the influence of their doctors… Kaya ang dapat diyan kapag may symptoms ang patient right away hindi ka iinom ng unproven medication,” he said.
