4 of 36 kids succumb to dengue in Kalunasan

Officials of Barangay Kalunasan Health Center confirmed that four children already succumbed to dengue in said barangay of the reported 36 cases there.

According to Rosaminda Lauron, midwife at the said health center, four children had already perished from dengue since May 11 this year to date.

Despite efforts of health workers in Kalunasan who are now concentrating on cleanup drives as well as fogging and spraying operations in more or less seven sitios where dengue cases have been reported, they find it difficult to move on with the programs with the presence of uncooperative residents.

Last Thursday, they reportedly had to ask for police assistance after a certain Vivencio Garcia refused to remove his used tires.

"Naniguro lang gyud ko patawag ug police assistance kay kadtong pag-anhi namo sa una gidad-an gyud mi ug pinuti ug dili gyud niya ipakuha ang mga ligid," Lauron recalled.

"Gahi gyud ang ubang tawo dinhi kahibalo na gyud na sila nga ang mga ligid maoy usa sa puy-an sa lamok nga magdala ug dengue pero dili lang gyud magpakabana," Lauron added.

Also, records at the Kalunasan health center proved that there is an increase in the number of cases and casualties this year. Last year, there were only 26 dengue cases and no recorded deaths. But this year, the figure shot to 10 more and claimed the lives of four minors.

"Lain pang problema namo mao ang ulahi nga pagdala sa mga inahan sa ilang mga bata ngadto sa ospital, usahay mokumpyansa ra gyud sila. Kun magduda sila nga dunay dengue, dili na lang unta paaboton pa ang tulo ka adlaw, ila na lang untang dad-on dayon ngadto sa ospital," Lauron said.

Mrs. Emelin Masbate, whose two-year-old son was hospitalized last Sunday, claimed that in her neighborhood, residents don't care about cleaning up the surroundings.

Sitios in Kalunasan identified to have dengue cases are sitios Units 3 and 3-a, Units 4 and 5, Camp Marina, Crisanto Heights and Unit 1.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Board is set to pass a resolution this Monday requesting all cities and component cities of Cebu to conduct an anti-dengue information campaign and cleanup drives in their respective areas.

The resolution sponsored by PB member Victor Maambong states that, "although rainy days bring joy to farmers and afford relief from the sweltering heat of the sun, these may also trigger the proliferation of dengue-carrying mosquitoes."

Maambong added that it is necessary for local government units to intensify its anti-dengue information campaign and cleanup drives in order to educate the public on dengue disease and its prevention. - Ramil V. Ayuman and Flor Z. Perolina