CAMPAIGN VS. RABIES. Ame Liz G. Mardoquio (left) and Dr. Marie Jocelyn Te, program and medical coordinator of the DOH-CHD 6 Rabies Prevention and Control Program, respectively, underscore the need for local government units to allocate funds for their anti-rabies program in a press conference in Iloilo City on Monday (Sept. 9, 2019). From January to August this year, a total of 47,257 animal bite cases were recorded in Western Visayas, and 20 of the victims died. (PNA photo by PGLena)
ILOILO CITY -- The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in Western Visayas has urged local government units (LGUs) in the region to allot funds for their anti-rabies program.
Ame Liz G. Mardoquio, program coordinator of the CHD-6 Rabies Prevention and Control Program, in a press conference on Monday, noted that the vaccine allocation both for canines and humans in the region is not yet “stable”.
“There is a shortage (of) vaccines, both for canines and humans,” Mardoquio said.
She explained that from January to August this year, Western Visayas had a total supply of 29,084 vials; 27,000 vials came from DOH central office while 2,084 vials were purchased using the PHP2.5-million regional allocation for the year.
The total need of the region per quarter is 37,352 vials, Mardoquio said.
While they continue to appeal for responsible pet ownership, DOH urged local government units to implement their anti-rabies ordinance and allot funds for the acquisition of vaccines.
Dr. Marie Jocelyn Te, DOH-CHD 6 medical coordinator, said the national government has only allocated a small amount for the anti-rabies program so it is high time that LGUs “have to put up a budget for dog vaccination”.
“They are now aware that they really have to put budget next year,” she said.
Te added that herd immunity can be achieved if 70 to 90 percent of the dog population is vaccinated.
During the press conference, she revealed that from January 1 until the end of August this year, Western Visayas had 20 human rabies deaths.
Negros Occidental had nine deaths; Iloilo province, four; Aklan, three; Capiz, two; and one death each in Antique and Iloilo City.
“Rabies is preventable by vaccination but it can also be fatal once it is not fettered by vaccination,” she said.
The DOH-CHD 6 semi-annual report for rabies registered 47,257 animal bite cases from January to June this year. Majority are dog bites.
The highest bite cases were recorded in Iloilo province with 13,315; Negros Occidental, 10,413 cases; Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC), 10,389 cases.
Meanwhile, Aklan province has 2,172 cases; Antique, 1,454; Capiz, 2,196; Guimaras, 1,718; Iloilo City Health Office, 443; Bacolod City Health Office, 4,320; and Corazon Locsin Montelibano Regional Hospital, 837 cases. (PNA)
