|
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Meningo scare hits Bacolod barangay
By Roberto L. Bacasong
* Boy's death certificate though indicates that he died of pneumonia and several other infections
A FOUR-year-old boy was suspected of have died of meningococcemia last Monday at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH).
The incident has put a strain on the community where the boy's family lives.
The case also put tension on Barangay 27 Chairwoman Laura Blasi who said the report that the child, whose name is being withheld by Sun.Star Bacolod, died of the infectious disease generated a scare on the residents of the area. The residents said that the disease might spread in the community.
In a telephone interview, Blasi said the victim suffered from high fever for three days. His parents sought the help of the village's officials before he was brought to the hospital on Monday morning. He died in the afternoon of the same day.
Although hospital officials have not declared the boy to be infected with the disease, Blasi said she took precautionary measures and warned the victim's parents and the members of their family to avoid getting in contact with their neighbors for the meantime.
Barangay nutritionist Janice Parisan said the boy's parents denied that their son died of meningococcemia.
Barangay Councilwoman Myrna Obligus, on the other hand, appealed to Mayor Evelio Leonardia to provide immediate assistance to the boy's family, primarily on medication.
She also feared that she had been contaminated with the disease after she had physical contact with the victim.
"This is not a joke. We are calling on Mayor Bing to investigate if indeed the boy died of meningococcemia," said Obligus.
Blasi said the boy's death certificate indicated that he died of pneumonia and several other infections.
"I am planning to meet with my barangay officials this Sunday to come up with a resolution about the assistance to be given to the family," said Blasi.
Dr. Juvy Vergara, assistant city health officer, said they already sent the victim's blood sample to Manila for further examination and for confirmation purposes.
Vergara advised the residents of the village to avoid speculating since the Department of Health-Manila has yet to issue the final recommendation.
Blasi and Vergara also said the residents should not panic.
She said the boy's parents are indigents and it may be the reason why it took them some time to take their child to the hospital for treatment. (RLB)
(June 1, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
