THE Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday admitted having data error issues as raised by the UP Resilience Institute but stressed it involves only a “nominal percentage” of the entire data involving novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients.
In a statement read at a press briefing in Malacañang, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said they were able to take note of the errors pointed out by the COVID-19 response team of the University of the Philippines in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
“We acknowledge that the system is not perfect. But we continue to improve our data collection and reporting systems,” said Duque.
“The DOH has already taken note of the data errors found in the April 24 and 25 data drops,” he added.
According to the UP team, the errors in official DOH data from April 24 to April 25 showed 45 cases have changed genders, while at least 75 patients became either older or younger.
Also, at least 516 patients were reclassified to a different city or location; while one patient was reported dead only to be among those alive the next day.
Duque said data errors mentioned are “less than one percent” of the entire database.
“We assure the public that the issues raised are a nominal percentage of the whole data set, and does not prejudice the overall interpretation of data and decision making,” said Duque.
In addition, he said, the issues pointed by the UP team have been resolved as early as April 26, along with other inconsistencies communicated by private citizens.
“Data is continuously rectified the moment we identify any issue, including, but not limited to, date formatting inconsistencies, case classification, and proper identification of residence,” said Duque.
And in a bid to prevent a repeat of the errors in the COVID-19 data, he said the DOH is collaborating with a wide range of institutions, including data engineers, data scientists, and specialists.
“The DOH remains committed to transparency, and we welcome feedback from the experts’ community,” said Duque.
Senators slammed the DOH.
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon said questions on the accuracy of the DOH data “erode the confidence of the people in the IATF and its ability to contain the pandemic.”
He said the success of the fight against COVID-19 is premised on the accuracy of data which will be the basis of authorities to assess the situation.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said to make such mistake in data reporting “is the height of irresponsibility.”
“Whether inadvertently committed or otherwise, it is reason enough to make people responsible and accountable. What is abominable is if such act is committed deliberately for any reason,” he said.
Lacson asked Duque anew to resign.
Senate president pro tempore Ralph Recto said the data errors “do not breed confidence either.”
Recto also took note of the DOH’s slow mass testing and contact tracing efforts in areas where the quarantine protocols have been relaxed.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said the DOH should meet with the UP experts so they can make the necessary corrections on the errors. — With Raymond Africa
