Sibulan LGU allocates P.5M for infectious diseases
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 26 (PIA) Sibulan Mayor Marcela Grampon- Bartoces has urgently included an allocation of P500,000 intended for preparedness against infectious disease in the town.
In a joint meeting, the Municipal Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC) and the Municipal Development Council has reviewed and finalized the MDRRM five-year plan that would now include additional preparedness for infectious diseases.
Information Officer Concepcion Rosales of Sibulan said the recent move of the Local Chief Executive was prompted by the death of an 11-year old student of Maslog Elementary School last Monday.
According to Municipal Health Officer Merlina Papas child is suspected to have caught meningococcemia, an acute and potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream, and “blood culture is still being done.”
Dr. Papas, who has reported the matter to the Department of Health (DOH), has taken the lead in disinfecting some potential areas that may have been contaminated with the disease and those who have come in contact with the girl.
Papas has also submitted to Mayor Bartoces list of equipment, apparatus and medicines that can be used immediately in case of occurrence of the said infectious disease for funding.
Meningococcemia is caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. The bacteria frequently lives in a person's upper respiratory tract without causing visible signs of illness. The bacteria can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets such as sneezing and coughing, it is said.
Family members and those closely exposed to someone with the condition are at increased risk.
The condition is most life threatening in those who have: Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) - a severe bleeding disorder, kidney failure, and shock.
Dr. Papas has advised those who wer4 closely exposed to go the emergency room immediately if you have symptoms of meningococcemia. Call your doctor if you have been around someone with the disease.
Preventive antibiotics for family members and contacts are often recommended. (PIA/JCT)
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Provincial women’s congress set in NegOr
by: Jennifer Catan-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 26 (PIA) The Provincial Commission on Women (PCW) is organizing a Rural Women’s Congress in observance of the International Day of Rural Women on October 28 which starts at 8:00 a.m. at the Spanish Heritage in Dumaguete City.
Assistant Provincial Administrator and Gender and Development (GAD) focal person Josefina Columna said about 200 women leaders from different local government units (LGUs) in the province are invited to participate in the congress.
The one-day event focuses on the theme “The Empowerment of Rural Women and their Role in Poverty and Hunger Eradication, Development and Current Challenges.”
Columna said the activity recognizes the critical role and contribution of rural women in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.
Participants come from the Rural Improvement Councils (RICs), local council for women, barangay health workers, barangays population officers, Kalipi members, non-government organizations involve in women development, among others.
The women leaders are expected to prepare an action plan during the congress and share the highlights of their achievements in any contribution for the development of their groups as well as the community.
The PCW also expected to include in its program the free medical checks up which include pap smear and other reproductive health care services. It is said that pap smear is important for women aged 40 and above. (PIA/JCT)