Bacolod girds for intensified information drive on A(H1N1)
BACOLOD CITY -- Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERT) here have started holding lectures in various barangays and schools with regard to the A(H1N1) flu.
This is in line with the move of the city government to educate the people about the virus to avoid panic following the confirmation of A(H1N1) cases here.
Earlier, Mayor Evelio Leonardia created a task force to spearhead the information drive and create measures to help control and mitigate the spread of the virus.
The city’s Task Force A(H1N1) led by Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson met recently with physicians who are actively involved in the control and eventual mitigation of the presence of A(H1N1) virus in Bacolod, namely, Dr. Joan Cerrada of the Philippine Society of Infectious Disease, Dr. Henry Alavaren of the Riverside Medical Center, quarantine officer Dr. Sebastian Tabuga and Eunice Bedonia from the Department of Health, to be clarified of the level of virus transmission in the city
The task force also met with representatives from the various hotels in the city to identify the measures they undertake to increase awareness on the A(H1N1) virus.
The task force also recommended for the allocation of P2 million budget from the city's calamity fund as its pre-disaster preparedness against the spread of the A (H1N1).
The said funds will be used to purchase the personal protective suits by City Health personnel, volunteers and members of the Task Force necessary to respond to A (H1N1) cases.
Moreover,the Patrol 117 headed by Mr. Jomarie Vargas will also take an important part in the campaign against A (H1N1) especially in transporting possible infected persons of the said virus.
There are also volunteer organizations like the Chamber and Amity which have their own ambulance and medical training.
The Chamber volunteers will be designated at the sea ports while the Amity volunteers will be at the Bacolod Silay airport.
City Health Officer Dr. Salome Binas said there are anti-viral medicines available in the local drugs store.
She said that personal protective suits or gears will be used by volunteers but these are disposable ones.
There are two cases of A(H1N1) here involving children but they have already recovered and are ready for release.