Wednesday, August 08, 2007 Red Cross donates syringes for city’s anti-measles drive
THE Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) has donated several boxes of disposable syringes in support of the City Government’s campaign against measles, a virus causing disease, following an increase in the number of cases recorded by the local health department.
Mayor Celso Lobregat, who is PNRC governor turned over the almost 2, 000 pieces of disposable syringe along with PNRC local Administrator Vic Liozo Jr. to City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos at the City Hall conference room Tuesday afternoon.
Lobregat personally followed up the request with PNRC Board of Governors Chair Richard Gordon and PNRC Secretary General Corazon Alma de Leon during the Board meeting last July.
The request was followed by a formal letter dated July 28 and addressed to Gordon and de Leon citing the urgent conduct of mop-up operation and immunization program to combat measles. The request letter was signed by Liozo and recommended by Lobregat.
The City Government was prompted to initiate an intensified anti-measles campaign in view of the declaration of a measles outbreak in Zamboanga City by the Department of Health.
In the course of the mop-up operation and immunization program, the City Health Office would require the support and assistance of the different health related agencies such as the PNRC.
The vaccines are already being provided, Liozo said but the disposable syringes are lacking. Approximately, the city requires 180,041 pieces of 3cc syringes and 18,004 pieces for the 5 cc syringes.
Liozo said the volume of syringes turned over Tuesday represented the initial donation from the PNRC.
Lobregat expressed elation that the PNRC is ready and willing to come to the aid of the city government in the conduct of the anti-measles campaign.
The turn over yesterday was witnessed by some members of the City Council and department heads.
Measles is a serious disease that causes fever, rash and other complications. Measles is caused by a virus and spreads easily from one person to the other. (Sheila Covarrubias)
