Iloilo launches fight against rabies
A representative from Pfizer (right) leads the
symbolic turn over to Mayor Ninfa Garin of t-shirts
and anti-rabies vaccines in support of the
province's rabies prevention and elimination
program. Also in photo are, from left, Board
Member Macario Napulan, Provincial Veterinarian
Silvino Teodosio, Regional Rabies Coordinator
Nona Manzon, and Provincial Health Officer
Dr. Patricia Trabado.
Photo courtesy of Nick Salcedo
The Province of Iloilo launched yesterday its rabies prevention and elimination program in the municipality of San Joaquin.
San Joaquin Mayor Ninfa S. Garin said that she didn't give a second thought when her town was chosen to be the pilot area for the provincial launching of rabies prevention and elimination program undertaken by the Iloilo Provincial Government and being supported by the Iloilo Provincial Health Office, Iloilo Provincial Veterinarian Office, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development Office and Pfizer.
Garin said she accepted to be the host municipality of this program reiterating the importance of rabies prevention and elimination citing that there were two casualties of rabies in her municipality. The province of Iloilo has a total of seven casualties from January to June 2007.
The municipality also allocated fund for the training of 86 vaccinators who will be in-charge of the vaccination of dogs and other animals in every barangay to attain its goal for "100 percent dog vaccination."
Garin also said she will allocate funds for the information drive on rabies in every barangay and to heighten the consciousness of the populace against "tandok" or the native way of treating dog bites.
Iloilo Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Silvino Teodosio lauded the efforts of the local municipal officials of San Joaquin for supporting this program.
He also bared that the Korean Overseas International Cooperation Agency (Koica) under its representative Dr. Chung Yong Rhee, a volunteer assigned to the Provincial Veterinarian Office, will donate some P1 million intended for anti rabies vaccines and information and education campaign (IEC) materials for the entire Province of Iloilo.
Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. who graced the launching highlighted community cooperation in the success of the fight against the dreaded rabies infection.
(Capitol News)