THE Department of Health-Davao Region (DOH-Davao) reiterated that its central office operates only one verified Facebook page, countering the proliferation of fraudulent accounts falsely endorsing health claims and products.
DOH-Davao clarified earlier this week that the agency has not advertised any milk supplement claiming to treat severe insomnia.
“The DOH emphasizes that this page is fake, not affiliated with the Department in any way, and does not endorse the products it promotes,” the statement read. It also revealed that the agency is collaborating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to investigate the matter further.
The DOH warned that any statements, comments, or transactions made through these fake accounts are fraudulent. “Continued dissemination of false information may result in criminal charges. The public is strongly advised to rely only on the official social media handles listed below,” the statement added.
This clarification follows reports of a Facebook page named “DOH News” gaining traction for promoting a fake medical product that allegedly cured “90 percent” of individuals with chronic sleep disorders.
In a similar incident last November, the DOH debunked a false claim that Singapore discovered COVID-19 was not caused by a virus but by a bacterium exposed to radiation, allegedly leading to death by blood coagulation.
The DOH reiterated that COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, not a bacterium. It urged the public to remain vigilant against misleading COVID-19 information and to seek updates exclusively from legitimate sources, including the Department’s official platforms and social media handles. DEF