Police hold anti-measles drive

CEBU, Philippines - To help prevent the widespread of measles cases, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 has launched yesterday its two-day anti-measles drive held at the police hospital inside the Camp Sotero Cabahug in Cebu City.

The activity is spearheaded by the Regional Health Service (RHS) of the PRO 7.

Today, the free immunization will be continued at the Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr. from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. to be participated by different stakeholders of command groups and police stations.

To benefit the campaign are police personnel’s children or grandchildren aged six months to five years old who are given free vaccination to help their body’s immune system fight against the highly contagious disease, said Chief Insp. Jay Palicpic, public information head of the RHS 7.

“Civilians with their children could also avail of the free vaccine”, Palicpic said adding that family members of policemen are being prioritized.

Apart from the vaccination provided, children are also given a dosage of vitamin A supplements to increase their resistance to diseases and to improve their body’s growth and development.

Palicpic said that the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office and Mandaue City Police Office are also set to hold its campaign through the free immunization on January 29.

This mass vaccination with the theme, “Knockout Tigdas”, is a joint project of the RHS 7 and the Department of Health 7 whose aim is to fight against the outbreak of measles.

Though there has been no declaration of measles outbreak in Cebu, RHS acting chief, Supt. Cynthia Bustamante said people should be better prepared and protected before any circumstance might happen.

“We should be one step ahead, huwag nating hintayin na dumating yong pag-outbreak ng sakit,” Bustamante said.

Bustamante considers the campaign as a preliminary step for police personnel to prevent their family, especially with their children, who might be inflicted with this type of disease.

“That is why we have come up with this project to assist any concerned policeman, who could not take more time to bring their children in barangay health centers,” said Bustamante.

Among those who availed of the free immunization is the couple, PO1 Francel Buling of Waterfront Police Station and PO1 Marichu Buling, crime registrar of the Cebu City Police Office (CPPO), who brought with them their one year and three months old son.

“Measles man gud, kuyaw siya kay mas prone ang mga bata anang sakita,” Marichu said adding that “sayang man pud, libre man so avail na lang pud mi.”—– (FREEMAN)