BUDGET FOR DENGUE. Dengue patients are being hydrated at the Rural Health Unit of Concepcion town, Iloilo. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, on its resolution placing the province under a state of calamity due to dengue on Monday (July 22, 2019) proposed a PHP28-million fund to respond to the needs of dengue cases. (Photo courtesy of Helen Minguez)
ILOILO CITY -- The Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) is eyeing to allocate PHP28 million to respond to medical supplies and other needs of dengue patients.
The resolution placing the province under a state of calamity due to dengue was forwarded by the council to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on Monday morning, Dr. Jerry Bionat, PDRRM Office head said.
Bionat hopes the SP can take up the matter in their regular session on Tuesday.
“The Provincial Health Office (PHO) eyes PHP17, 629,120 fund while the Hospital Management Office (HMO) eyes PHP10,366, 886,” he said.
Bionat said PHO and the HMO are the lead agencies in implementing the mitigating measures.
Among the items that will be purchased through the calamity fund are adulticide and fogging equipment; dengue test kits, oral rehydration solutions, mosquito repellent, olyset nets, advocacy materials for the PHO; and dextrose, paracetamol, disposable syringe, oxygen, adhesive plasters, among other medical and laboratory supplies for the HMO.
The needs of the Rural Health Units in every local government unit are sourced from the PHO while the needs of the 12 district hospitals are sourced from the HMO.
Bionat said the charges of the said measures will be made against the available PDRRM Quick Response Fund of the government.
As of 8 a.m. on Monday, the HMO recorded 1,122 dengue patients admitted in the 12 district hospitals.
Jesus M. Colmenares District Hospital (JMCDH) in Balasan town has admitted the most number of new dengue cases on Monday with 46 and Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital (RTMDH) in Cabatuan town admitted 24 new dengue cases.
A total of 278 dengue patients are seeking treatment at JMCDH; 123 dengue patients in RTMDH; and 108 patients in each of Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan town and Dr. Ricardo Provido Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Calinog town.
Data from the PHO from January 1 to July 13 shows that cases of dengue in Iloilo have reached 6,806 with 23 deaths.
Dengue cases in Pototan town have reached 713; Passi City has 458; Sara has 378; Concepcion has 333, and Lambunao has 293.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. was unable to attend to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte since he is closely monitoring the dengue situation in the province.
"I had to meet (with the PDRRM council) for the preparation for the state of calamity due to dengue, among other matters," Defensor said in an interview Monday morning.
However, the Iloilo governor assured his attendance in the post-SONA meeting with the President and other provincial governors, city and municipal mayors on Tuesday at the Manila Hotel. (PNA)
