Thursday, November 22, 2007 Go to satellite labs first, city residents advised
VICE Mayor Michael Rama is meeting Labangon barangay officials to discuss what to do with a lagoon in a fenced private lot that the City suspects is a breeding ground for dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
This, as the people were urged to first visit satellite laboratories for their tests before going to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) for dengue exam.
In a report, Assistant City Epidemiologist Durinda Macasocol identified at least seven satellite laboratories that provide free Complete Blood Count (CBC) and platelet count.
Those who suspect that they have dengue can go to the satellite laboratories in Barangays Pari-an, Luz, Talamban, Poblacion Pardo, Punta Princesa, Mabolo and Guadalupe.
The satellite laboratories were set up as part of the City Health Department’s early detection program set up to “ensure immediate management, fast referrals, proper treatment, recovery, and death prevention” of dengue cases.
With five dead since January this year, Labangon tops all Cebu City barangays in the number of deaths due to dengue.
A dengue outbreak was declared in the barangay as well as in Poblacion Pardo and Bulacao last Sept. 4.
In yesterday’s City Council session, Rama said he will consult with the barangay’s officials for swift action on the matter.
City Councilor Arsenio Pacaña brought up the lagoon for discussion after City Councilor Gerardo Carillo made a report on how P5 million that the City allotted was spent for dengue response.
Pacaña said that the lagoon gets so dirty, especially that the septic tanks overflow towards the stagnant water.
He said the lagoon was formed after an excavation for a commercial complex was abandoned in 1997 because of the economic crisis.
Carillo said the 566 dengue cases reported from January to Nov. 3 this year were 110 percent higher compared to the same period last year.
Quoting a report submitted by Macasocol, he said that the trend is, however, decreasing.
He said, though, that the CHD statistics do not reflect yet the real situation because they do not include yet victims admitted in private hospitals.
“This is not yet the true picture since the reports from private hospitals are not yet incorporated,” the councilor said. (RHM)
