Lumads alarmed over measles outbreak

DAVAO DEL NORTE -- Indigenous people's groups are alarmed over the outbreak of measles in remote Ata-Manobo villages in the municipality of Talaingod, this province.

Katribu party-list and Pasaka Regional Confederation of Indigenous Peoples in Southern Mindanao said that based on reports by community leaders in Talaingod, the disease has already spread into their remote villages. Rash, fever, colds and diarrhea, which are symptoms of measles, are widespread among the Ata-Manobo villagers.

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"The disease has already spread throughout the remote villages of Talaingod. There are already reports of fatalities especially among the children," said Datu Duloman Dawsay, a tribal leader of the local Manobo group Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon.

Based on the initial survey conducted by some medical health groups under the RX for Peace, an estimate of seven communities or 230 households are already inflicted with measles.

"We fear for the worst especially that Ata-Manobo communities do not have access even to the most basic health services, especially to medicines that will prevent the deaths of the victims. The victims may die in the middle of the road going to the nearest hospital just to get medical help," Dawsay said in vernacular.

If unmitigated, the disease will spread to eight more communities and will endanger additional 347 households, said Katribu regional coordinator Kerlan Fanagel.

Fanagel added that last week, a measles-inflicted patient died while on his way to seek medical help.

"We fear that the indigenous way of quarantine has failed to contain the outbreak in Talaingod. Decisive and urgent measures to prevent the escalation of the measles incidence should be done at once to prevent more fatalities," Pasaka spokesperson Diolito Diarog said.

"The effects of measles put the Ata-Manobos in a more serious danger considering the existing problem of malnutrition and hunger in the area," Diarog added.

Pasaka and Katribu attributed the dismal plight of the people of Talaingod to the government's abject neglect of providing free and accessible health programs for the rural poor.

The groups appealed to the concerned local government units, other groups and individuals to join the crisis intervention efforts being launched by medical groups and other concerned non-government organizations for the people of Talaingod. (Jade C. Zaldivar of Sun.Star Davao/PR/Sunnex)