Talisay SP okays release of cash support for doctor

CEBU, Philippines – The Talisay City council during its regular session yesterday morning approved the release of financial assistance to one of the city's doctors who is now being treated for Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), considered a fatal disease.

The move was also in response to the request of Mayor Socrates Fernandez, who wrote a letter to Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, being the chairman and the presiding office of the 4th Sangguniang Panlungsod, asking him to craft a measure for this purpose.

Councilor Dennis Basillote said William Larida, physician of rural health unit 3, as of press time was confined in an intensive care unit of Chong Hua Hospital.

He said Larida, whom he referred to as his nephew, reportedly contacted GBS while doing his rounds immunizing his patients with AH1N1 vaccine.

It was last Thursday when Larida complained of difficulty of breathing, and collapsed shortly after, he said.

The physician was rushed to Chong Hua, where, on Friday, he was diagnosed with the deadly illness.

To keep him going, Basillote said the doctor needs P180,000 for his injection alone for the next five days. His first shot reportedly started last Sunday and he would need more to completely kill the virus in his system.

The council had authorized Fernandez to release P350,000 as assistance.

Bucao asked his colleagues and those who attended the session "to pray for Dr. Larida's recovery."

According to wikipedia (wikipedia.com) GBS is "an autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system, usually triggered by an acute infectious process."It is also rare and has an incidence of one or two people per 100,000, the website said.

And while it is considered fatal, with prompt treatment by plasmapheresis or intravenous immunoglobulins and supportive care, the patient will regain full functional capacity.

However, "death may occur if severe pulmonary complications and autonomic nervous system problems are present," it further said.  (FREEMAN)