City to buy equipment for dengue screening

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government has appropriated P661.6 million for the emergency purchase of additional laboratory equipment and medical supplies so the city can continue its program of providing free Complete Blood Count and hematocrit count to persons suspected of having dengue.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo, action officer of the Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council, explained that due to the huge number of constituents who are availing of the free CBC and hematocrit counting there is a need to purchase additional supplies for the City Health Department.

City health officer Fe Cabugao requested the city council to appropriate the amount so the city can continue to provide health services to dengue patients.The city council has passed the request for appropriation and it will be referred to the mayor for approval.

Cabugao wants the city to purchase one autoclave worth P400,000 and 20 sets of Hemaquick blood staining sets at P5,000 each and many other supplies to be used for the early detection of dengue.

An autoclave is a device to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure steam at 121 degrees centigrade or more.The original autoclaves can neutralize potentially infectious agents by utilizing pressurized steam and superheated water.

The total number of dengue cases in Cebu City since January until October 24 had already reached 1,611 much higher compared to only 1,065 for the same period last year.But while the number of cases is higher this year, the number of deaths is only 34 compared to the 49 casualties for the same period last year.

Among the 80 barangays of Cebu City, Guadalupe, Kamputhaw, Basak-San Nicolas, Lahug, Talamban, Labangon and Tisa are still on top of the list with highest number of dengue cases.

Kamputhaw and Labangon have three dengue casualties each; two each for Guadalupe, Tisa, Lorega-San Miguel, Carreta, Apas and Mambaling; and one each from barangays Bacayan, Talamban, Basak-San Nicolas, Lahug, Luz, Punta Princesa, Inayawan, Pardo, Banilad, Day-as, Mabolo, Buhisan, Sudlon II and Binaliw.— Rene U. Borromeo/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)