Tuesday, February 26, 2008 City Hall sets aside P3.6M for anti-dengue drive
CEBU City Hall allocated another P3.6 million to purchase chemicals and other supplies needed for its anti-dengue campaign, specifically for the spraying of insecticides.
Councilor Christopher Alix said the City will go ahead with the spraying activities in all barangays despite comments from a Department of Health (DOH) official that there is no scientific evidence to prove its efficacy.
During their session last Wednesday, the City Council approved a resolution charging the amount of P3,571,250 to the calamity funds for the purchase of supplies needed for the City’s campaign against dengue.
Of the amount, P3 million will be used to purchase chemicals. The remaining amount will cover the goggles, face masks, long-sleeved shirts and other protective gear that the sanitary inspectors will use during the spraying activities.
Preventive measure
The City Health Department (CHD) decided to revive the spraying activities as a preventive measure after records of dengue cases showed that the number of deaths continue to increase.
The spraying of insecticide will be conducted simultaneous with the information campaign on dengue prevention and early detection of symptoms.
“We focused heavily on spraying in 2005 when the number of cases was very high and we managed to decrease the number the following year. So why would DOH say it’s efficacy still has not been proven?” said Alix, chairman of the council committee on health.
Besides, he added, the World Health Organization (WHO) has accredited the chemicals the City is using to kill dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
During his visit to Cebu City last week, DOH Undersecretary Jade del Mundo said the cleanliness drive and eliminating breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitoes are still the best ways to fight the dengue virus.
DOH has already started spraying insecticides in some parts of the country so they can get scientific evidence that will prove its efficacy.
Dad’s retort
“Why are they saying that? Maybe because they are not aware of the situation here where we’ve proven that it works. Do you think the WHO will accredit something that they believe is not effective?” Alix asked.
The CHD began their massive spraying activities last week, starting with Barangays Talamban and Guadalupe, the top two barangays with the highest number of dengue cases.
From Jan. 1 to Feb. 19 this year, the CHD recorded 322 dengue cases and 11 deaths, or an increase of 177.59 percent from last year’s 119 cases and two deaths.
Last October, the City allocated P5 million for the anti-dengue campaign, which was used for laboratory supplies and medicines that allowed the City to offer free consultations and blood testing for suspected dengue patients. (LCR)
