THE Lapu-Lapu City Government was recognized by the Department of Health (DOH) as one of the 10 towns and cities in Central Visayas with an exemplary performance in child immunization.
The recognition was made during the DOH 7’s regional health summit and awarding ceremony in Cebu City yesterday.
Lapu-Lapu City’s recognition came amid an investigation being conducted by the Regional Adverse Effects Following Immunization Committee (RAEFIC) due to the deaths of two infants allegedly blamed on vaccines.
Mayor Paz Radaza, who received the award, said that the incidents that led to the deaths of Ayesha Suson and Ghirvaughn Limpangog were “isolated cases.” She said there is an ongoing investigation to find out if their deaths were caused by the vaccines.
Radaza said that she also lifted the suspension of the immunization program of Barangay Pajac, after DOH 7 Director Jaime Bernadas assured them that the vaccines provided to the barangays were deemed safe for use.
Aside from Lapu-Lapu City, other winners local government units that were recognized for their high percentage of child immunization are the towns of Borbon, Compostela, Asturias, Sta. Fe, Pinamungajan, Balamban, and the cities of Bogo and Danao.
The City was also awarded for its efforts in other health programs, such as cervical cancer prevention; as well as for its accurate, reliable and timely data gathering in their health programs; and for prioritization of budget allocated for health.
In a separate interview, Bernadas said that the health department awarded the Lapu-Lapu City Government because of their aggressive campaign to ensure that all children are immunized.
Bernadas said that what happened in Pajac will in no way affect the City’s performance when it comes to child immunization.
Other towns and cities in Cebu were also recognized by DOH 7.
The cities of Bogo and Danao, and the towns of Santa Fe, Pilar, Compostela, Tuburan, Balamban, Barili and Borbon were recognized for their top performance in terms of percentage of exclusively breastfed infants, ages zero to six months old.
The cities of Bogo and Carcar, and the municipality of Borbon were also recognized for their top performance in promoting contraceptive use as part of modern family planning methods.
While the municipality of Barili is the only local government unit in Cebu that is part of 10 towns and cities recognized by DOH 7 with a high percentage of households with sanitary toilet facilities. (With reports from FMG, FVQ)