Tuburan residents told: Take medicines

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has called on Tuburan residents affected by the typhoid outbreak to take medicines.

Garcia said that medicines and hospital services are provided free to them by the provincial government.

“Awhag sa tanan nga magpa dapat gyud sila’g tambal kay anyway libre naman tanan (we urge everyone to take medicines anyway these are given for free),” Garcia said.

Garcia is set to visit Tuburan today to turn-over multicabs to the barangays and continue the distribution of rice and canned goods to the patients.

In addition to the 50 sacks of rice and 30 boxes of canned goods it sent to the town last Monday, the Capitol yesterday dispatched additional 25 sacks of rice and 15 boxes of canned goods and bottled water.

Each family will receive 10 kilos of rice and 12 assorted canned goods. Garcia will be joined today by her brother, Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia, and the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines – Cebu chapter in the distribution of goods.

Garcia said that the typhoid outbreak has already been contained.

The neighboring towns of Asturias, Balamban and Tabuelan sent their doctors and nurses in Tuburan to help attend to all patients.

Residents from 13 out of the 54 barangays in Tuburan were the ones affected most by the outbreak because they were using the contaminated water supply from the municipality’s waterworks system.

Four people have died while more than 1,000 patients were diagnosed to have symptoms of typhoid fever. The Capitol has already extended P5,000 financial assistance to each of the family who lost a member to the disease.

Integrated Provincial Health Office chief, Dr. Cristina Giango said the number of patients is decreasing compared to the previous days.

Since Monday, the Provincial Water Task Force has put up a chlorinator at the spring box of the main source of water in Sitio Magdagook, Barangay Kalanganan. — (FREEMAN)