ILOILO City – In response to rising dengue cases in the metro, the city government opened on Aug. 8 its Hydration Unit at the second floor of the La Paz Maternity and Reproductive Health Center.
It immediately served a total of 17 dengue patients including 14 admitted for hydration while three were referred from city health centers for blood works, though they were discharged the same day.
The Hydration Unit will primarily cater to patients referred by the City Health Office’s (CHO) district health centers in order for them to be unloaded of the many patients being assessed, diagnosed and managed as dengue cases.
Its objective is to hydrate and monitor diagnosed dengue positive patients without warning signs based on Department of Health’s (DOH) issued guidelines.
“We hope dengue will not go up but statistics show it is increasing. We should not be complacent but continue cleaning up. We have to prepare for patients who are now overflowing at our health centers. We will serve cases that are not severe or those who need hydration,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
He added: “We are also looking for up to 10 additional doctors to be paid P1,600 per day to augment the personnel in our district health centers teeming with dengue cases.”
Treñas also coordinated with Philippine Army (PA) 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) commander Major General Dino Dolina and Lieutenant Colonel Eduardo Libo-on for assistance in lending a total of 100 folding beds and tents for dengue patients.
The 3ID based in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz has already brought an initial of 30 beds to city hall on Aug. 6 and another 38 beds Aug. 9.
Councilor Alan Zaldivar, chairperson of the committee on health in the City Council, received the beds from Colonel Erwin Paraico Jr. and Colonel Raymon Alexander Mongcopa.
Two army medical teams from Jamindan arrived over the weekend to augment the city’s personnel.
Similarly, the DOH sent treated screens to enclose the Hydration Unit.
It provided additional personnel and test kits, and medical supplies.
Treñas added that businessman Tommy Que will be giving additional folding beds.
Firm Metro Pacific will be donating intravenous (IV) stands while another donor, Vince Tiu, will be providing 20 boxes of IV fluids.
Benefactor San Antonio Formation and Enhancement Center Inc. (SAFEC) through its 1MEAL program turned over on Aug. 6 several donations to help dengue patients in the metropolis.
These included 60 plastic chairs with backrest, 40 plastic chairs with backrest and armrest, 10 electric stand fans, 10 five-meter long extension cords, four universal outlet extension cords, five gang with switch, two table water dispensers, and pledge of 6,000 liters of mineral water to be delivered as needed.
Treñas thanked private sector that responded to the call for help to more dengue patients.
As of Aug. 3, there were already 11 deaths out of 1,721 dengue cases or an increase of 519 percent compared to last year’s record as reported by the City Health Office./PN
