Local health authorities urge public to clean up vs. diseases

ROXAS CITY – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) here has advised Capiceños to take necessary precautionary measures to protect themselves from diseases that usually break out during the rainy season including the dreaded meningococcemia and dengue.

Among the measures prescribed by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Obdulia P. Gloria are the following: maintaining environmental sanitation and cleanliness; maintaining a healthy lifestyle; and, enhancing one's health-seeking behavior.

In the case of meningococcemia, Gloria added that the public should also avoid over-crowded places as much as possible to avoid catching the disease especially in areas where the disease exists.

The PHO chief issued the advice in the wake of a suspected meningococcemia case that resulted to the death of a 35-year old housewife from Sitio Mangtod, Brgy. Agtacay Norte, Sapian, Capiz last June 24, 2005. The case, as confirmed later by doctors at the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital where the patient was admitted here, triggered various speculations. Dr. Suzette See was the attending physician of the patient.

Gov. Vicente Bermejo called for a press conference last June 30 to let authorities from RMPH and PHO set the record straight regarding the apprehensions created by the meningococcemia case on the public.

Dr. Elmer Bucayan, representative of the Department of Health (DOH) in the province, explained that the case, although it existed, was only a sporadic case and not the epidemic type as in the case in Baguio City. In fact, Dr. Violeta Bones Javier, also a PHO doctor, pointed out in support to Dr. Bucayan's statement that meningococcemia has been with us since then but has never reached epidemic proportions.

Their statements served to allay public apprehensions that the disease might infect other people and spread. Provincial Administrator Dante Bermejo also attended the media interaction, representing the governor.

Sapian municipal health officer Dr. Alfonso Orozco disclosed that they have the patient buried immediately in coordination with the municipal government headed by Mayor Remedios Oñas after the former expired at the provincial hospital to prevent the disease from spreading.

They also have administered chemo-prophylactic treatment on persons with whom the patient had intimate contacts when she was still alive which was meant, according to Dr. Edwin Guernilla, RMPH pathologist, to keep them from spreading the disease. They have subjected the same to surveillance by health workers to monitor their health conditions.

Bucayan appreciated the measures taken by local health authorities which he said were in consonance with the guidelines set by the DOH in handling meningococcemia cases.

Gloria solicited the support of the media in spreading the health precaution for the benefit of the Capiceños. (PIA-JSC)