BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – This southern metropolis is ramping up its efforts to combat the surge in dengue cases by increasing the number of hydration units for dengue patients.
Dr. Annabelle Tang, head of the City Health Office (CHO), announced that they will open hydration units on the second floor of the La Paz Maternity Clinic today.
The 30-bed capacity hydration units are crucial in providing immediate care, particularly for those experiencing severe dehydration, a common complication of dengue fever.
These units will also operate 24 hours to ensure that patients receive timely and adequate fluid replacement therapy, which is vital in managing dengue.
The hydration units will be manned by doctors and nurses, who will offer care 24/7 to reduce dengue-related morbidity and mortality, especially during this peak dengue season.
But Tang clarified that these hydration units offer accessible care on a referral basis only, which means the patients need to undergo checkups in the health center before being referred to the hydration units.
Tang added that city health officials have increased public awareness campaigns and implemented mosquito control measures to curb the spread of the virus. The CHO reported 775 confirmed cases with three deaths as of Aug. 17.
Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, CHO medical officer, said the number of dengue cases in Iloilo City has reached the alert and epidemic threshold during morbidity week 31.
Such prompted the city government to take immediate action, such as increasing medical resources, enhancing vector control measures, and raising public awareness to prevent further spread of the disease.
When the number of dengue cases in an area surpasses this threshold, it indicates that the situation has moved beyond normal seasonal fluctuations and requires intensified public health interventions to control the outbreak.
Dr. Fortuna has urged residents to take preventive measures, such as eliminating mosquito breeding sites, using insect repellent, and seeking early medical attention if symptoms appear.
City health officials have also been conducting awareness campaigns to educate residents on dengue prevention.
These campaigns emphasize the importance of the 4S strategy: search and destroy breeding sites, self-protection measures, seek early consultation, and support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas.
The city government has asked residents to ramp up their efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, which are crucial in controlling the spread of dengue.
In Region 6, the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) recorded over 10,000 cases in August this year.
Dr. Bea Natalaray, Medical Officer IV of the Infectious Disease Cluster, announced the task force is composed of several DOH WV CHD units involved in the surveillance, supply distribution, and monitoring of hospitals.
The DOH has already provided mosquito control commodities, including mosquito nets and machines for indoor residual spraying; diagnostic commodities, such as dengue NS1 kits and rapid antibody test kits; and treatment commodities to local government units./PN
