BUTUAN CITY -- Health officials here are calling on residents to avail of the services of 21 animal bite treatment centers in the region, following the close to 20,000 animal bites recorded throughout Caraga last year.
Niel Nituda, regional coordinator of the Department of Health-Caraga (DOH-Caraga) for the agency's rabies prevention and control program, underscored the importance of seeking immediate treatment following an animal bite.
More importantly, Nituda said pet owners should be more responsible by having their cats or dogs vaccinated at the local veterinary office.
Nituda said DOH-Caraga is working with local government units to craft policies in the barangays for the implementation of comprehensive rules on responsible pet ownership, impounding of stray animals, and allocation of budget for rabies prevention and control activities.
According to DOH-Caraga data, a total of 19,415 animal bites were reported last year. Of these cases, majority involved dogs (16,577) and cats (2,675). A total of six cases of deadly rabies infection were reported in the same year.
For his part, DOH-Caraga Director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. said the agency will continue working with the Department of Agriculture to promote responsible pet ownership.
"It is in this way that we can protect both animals and people from the threat of rabies. Regular vaccination of pets and keeping them from roaming the streets to protect them from possibly contracting the rabies virus,” Lacuna said.
Caraga's Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs) are found in the following health facilities:
Provincial Hospital Agusan del Norte; Cabadbaran City District Hospital; Nasipit District Hospital; Butuan City Medical Center, D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital; Bunawan District Hospital, Talacogon District Hospital, Bayugan Community Hospital; Caraga Regional Hospital, Siargao District Hospital;
Surigao City Health Office, Soccoro District Hospital, Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center, Bislig District Hospital; Lianga District Hospital; Madrid District Hospital, Marihatag District Hospital; Dinagat District Hospital, Albor District Hospital, Loreto District Hospital and Provincial Health Offices of Province of Dinagat Island. (Noel B. Najarro/PNA)
