Monday, August 15, 2005
Dengue outbreak also hits Misamis Occidental
OZAMIS CITY -- Following the example of Cebu, a state of calamity was also declared in Misamis Occidental in connection with the alarming outbreak of dengue fever in the province.
This was contained in a resolution unanimously approved by provincial legislators Friday.
Board Member Morpheus Agot, who spearheaded the measure, expressed confidence the Provincial Government would be in a financially better position to respond to the situation because its calamity fund is now made available for disposition.
Dengue fever cases have been noted throughout the province's 17 localities.
From June until the present, there are 349 known cases, nine of which led to death. Those afflicted were mostly children.
However, the hotspots are in the cities of Tangub, Ozamiz and Oroquieta where the most incidences occurred.
Of the nine deaths, eight are children and one teenager. Six of the dead are from Tangub City.
Governor Loreto Ocampos has also ordered the acquisition of an additional platelet separator for the provincial hospital to hasten the process of preparing for platelet transfusion for those patients who need it.
Agot said 3,500 pesos will be provided as death aid for those families who lost their children to dengue fever.
Meanwhile, Agot criticized Health Secretary Francisco Duque for "his adamant stand not to declare a state of national calamity" in the face of the mushrooming dengue cases in the country.
He said such a declaration would put greater government attention into the problem, and hence, ensure its faster resolution. (Ryan Rosauro, Correspondent)
(August 15, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
