Health officials asked to explain prevalence of dengue in the city

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City health officials have accepted the invitation of city councilors to appear during next week’s session to brief them of the possible reasons why there are still dengue-related casualties in the city despite the city’s prevention programs.

Aside from the city health authorities, the officials of barangays Labangon, Mambaling and Talamban were also requested to be present during the event so they can react on the theories to be presented by the health experts.

The three barangays are among the eight in Cebu City that have dengue-related casualties. Other barangays are Guadalupe, Kamputhaw, Sudlon II, Binaliw and Lorega-San Miguel.

“We are very willing to explain to the city councilors our theory on why there are still dengue-related casualties in the barangays despite that it already has prevention programs,” said Durinda Macasocol, assistant head of the Cebu City Epidemiology Statistics and Surveillance Unit.

Macasocol said city health officer Fe Cabugao and some other city health officers are expected to appear during the session.

There are already 11 dengue-related casualties and 431 dengue cases in Cebu City from January to July 7, but these numbers are comparatively lower compared to 32 deaths and 712 dengue cases for the same period last year.

“The problem is that there are parents who just take for granted the physical condition of their children whenever they experience fever when in fact they can avail of our free medical services for free platelet count in our health centers,” Macasocol explained.

Macasocol cited the case of two children from barangay Lorega-San Miguel and in Labangon who had fever for five days before they were brought to the hospital and later died due to so-called dengue shock syndrome.

In Talamban, a four-year-old girl also had fever for four days before her parents brought her to the hospital. Like the other two children, she also died the following day.

“The parents of these children are fully aware of the free health services and laboratory examinations in their barangay health centers. Ocular inspections conducted by the sanitary inspectors showed the presence of numerous breeding sites of mosquitoes inside and outside their houses,” Macasocol said.

She further reminded the public that early consultations and treatment can help in the recovery and save lives of the patients. Keeping every home ventilated, clean and free from breeding sites of mosquitoes and other insects will greatly help prevent any illness and unnecessary deaths, she added. — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP (THE FREEMAN)