Capitol sends medicines, health workers to Tudela

CEBU, Philippines - The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) of the Capitol yesterday assured that the reported diarrhea cases in Barangay Calmante, Tudela is now under control.

Earlier, 44 patients were hospitalized after drinking contaminated water in that part of the Camotes group of islands.

IPHO Chief Dr. Cristina Giango said they provided medicines to those were admitted at the district hospital in San Francisco town, where the victims were treated.

Aside from the medicines, Giango told reporters that they also sent to Camotes personnel from her office to closely coordinate with the Municipal Health Officials of Tudela.

As of yesterday afternoon, Dr. Giango said, a total of 44 cases were reported to her office. There were no recorded casualties.

Some of those taken to the district hospital were already discharged after given medical treatment.

The victims reportedly suffered from diarrhea and amoebiasis, Dr. Giango said.

The first incident was reported on June 28, 2010 and the number of people affected increased by July 7 and also yesterday.

But Giango said they are closely coordinating with the local officials of Tudela.

Tudela Mayor Erwin Yu told THE FREEMAN that he directed the Municipal Health Office to monitor the condition of each patient.

According to Mayor Yu, they are looking into the water source of Barangay Calmante. He directed the municipal health workers to clean-up the water source to prevent more incidents. — THE FREEMAN