Rama leads larvicidal campaign vs dengue

CEBU, Philippines – With the increasing number of dengue cases in Cebu City, close to 5,000 City Hall employees headed by Mayor Michael Rama yesterday conducted a massive larvicidal campaign in 49 urban barangays in the city.

City Health Department head Dr. Daisy Villa said the larvicidal campaign is part of the dengue prevention programs of her department that is done quarterly.

“There are four stages sa growth sa mosquito. Katong larvicidal, part sa atong fight against the proliferation of mosquitoes. Mas maayong sa sugod pa sa stage sa mosquito, ma-stop na nato. The chemical could stay in three to four months, gawas kon flowing water siya kay ma-wash out pod siya,” she said.

“Atong nabutangan ang posibling kaponduhan sa lamok like canals, containers, naa poy ni katkat sa ibabaw sa balay,” she added.

Upon the order of Rama, Villa said City Hall employees were mandated to be deployed to help control the mosquito population that has already claimed 11 children in the city this year.

According to the data of CHD, at least 65 deaths were recorded in Cebu City since 2010 to 2015. Dengue cases have already reached 868 this year alone, with 11 deaths. With this, Villa said she is urging the community and the barangays to help in sustaining the cleanliness of their surroundings.

City Councilor David Tumulak, chairman of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said the city government would not just stop with the success of the larvicidal campaign.

At least 12 ambulances in the urban barangays in the city are on stand-by for emergency purposes that would transport patients from the satellite laboratories in seven barangays.

Villa advised the public to seek immediate consultation, as CHD opens seven barangays that offer free complete blood count and platelet count during office hours.

These barangays are Punta Princesa, Guadalupe, Mabolo, Parian, Poblacion Pardo, Luz, and Talamban.

Villa said CHD has requested for the purchase of additional chemicals for the curtain impregnation and misting so that it could perform to other barangays affected by dengue cases.

“Wala ko kahibaw sa this year nga budget but, dili ta mabalaka and because there are chemicals from the DOH (Department of Health) and NGOs man pod nga gipanghatag,” she added.

Tumulak is hopeful that the City Council would declare the city under state of preparedness so that it could disburse funds to be used in the fight against dengue. FPL (FREEMAN)