Lapu-Lapu brgy intensifies anti-dengue drive

CEBU, Philippines – The death of a 13-year-old girl due to dengue has prompted officials in Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City to intensify anti-mosquito misting activities in the sitios, as well as information dissemination on the disease.

Captain Junard Ahong Chan said they started their anti-mosquito operations last October, treating stagnant water and curtains with chemical solutions.

He said they decided to further boost their campaign against the disease after Gellie Patalinghug, a resident of Sitio Sangi-Airbase, died Monday at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City because of a suffering Grade 4 dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Her parents, Gelma and Willie Patalinghug, who were both in shock, told The FREEMAN their daughter had even performed in a Drum and Bugle Corps during the Garbo sa Lapu-Lapu last November 18, before the two-day fiesta in the city.

The girl plays a lyre instrument as member of the Pajo National High School band.

After the parade, Gellie’s body weakened but she managed to go out with friends last Saturday (November 20) to enjoy the fiesta.

Before transferring to VSMMC, Gellie was initially rushed in Our Lady of the Rule Hospital in Barangay Gun-ob after her parents found her vomiting and her gums bleeding last Sunday.

“The girl’s death because of dengue fever was a first in our barangay,” Chan said.

Chan, who vowed to give financial assistance to the family from his own pocket, said cleaning the surroundings in the barangay is a required activity.

“Ato gyud nang gi-require sa atoang 17 sitios sa barangay nga manglimpyo gyud ta sa atong palibot. Batasanon nato ang pagpanglimpyo kay we are responsible five meters away sa atong area, kita na’y motan-aw gyud ana og wala ba’y mga tubig nga nagpundo sa atoang palibot,” he said.

He added the place where the girl and her family live have undergone anti-mosquito misting operation three times.

“Ikatulo na to nga higayon nga nag-misting ang barangay didto; third day was last November 8,” Chan said.

Chan said health workers in the barangay also help in information dissemination drive and in distributing leaflets and posting reminders about keeping the surroundings clean.  — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud

Aside from the information drive, Chan said a free anti-dengue kit is available in their barangay health center. The said kit may cost up to P2,000 if bought from private hospitals, he said.

The body of the girl will be laid to rest tomorrow (Saturday) in Lapu-Lapu City Catholic Cemetery in Sitio Humay-Humay, Barangay Pajo. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (FREEMAN)