QC sets up fast lane for dengue patients in barangay health centers

The Quezon City government has set up a fast lane for dengue patients in all the city health centers to provide immediate treatment and referral.

City Health Development officer-in-charge Dr. Antonieta Inumerable said that the city government is taking all precautionary measures to prevent a dengue outbreak, which mostly victimizes children.

The express lane for those who have fever in barangay health centers aims to identify dengue cases immediately and refer them for treatment in hospitals.

"The dengue fast lane will give priority to persons suffering from high fever for the past two or three days since fever is one of the symptoms of dengue," Inumerable said.

The health centers and the city health departments will also provide laboratory tests like hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet counts for persons with high fever.

Dr. Irene Grafil, city health department’s epidemiology and surveillance unit officer, said that health workers as well as volunteers across Quezon City have been mobilized for the anti-dengue campaign.

The dengue task force, Grafil said, will conduct an information campaign at the community level to raise the awareness level of residents in curbing the spread of the disease.

The campaign underscores the importance of maintaining cleanliness in the communit to reduce potential breeding grounds for the dengue-carrying mosquitoes. A massive cleanup drive is also being conducted.

Grafil clarified that the reported dengue outbreak in Barangay Pag-asa is still under investigation. Data from the city health department revealed that only 12 cases of dengue, one of whom died, were confirmed in Barangay Pag-asa.