Barangays must have access to anti-flu drugs – Chiz
MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – Barangays must have access to anti-flu drugs, especially given the first A(H1N1) fatality in the country. This, according to opposition Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
Escudero recently said that the Department of Health (DOH) should ensure that anti-flu drugs are available down to the barangay level to control the spread of the AH1N1 influenza virus that has affected at least 344 Filipinos, 242 of whom have recovered.
“The virus has spread to many schools. To prevent possible outbreaks in other areas with dense populations, it is important that all communities have easy access to anti-flu medicine,” he said.
Escudero made the call during a recent visit to Tacloban City, Leyte where he met with local and barangay officials and saw firsthand the preparations of LGUs to combat the spread of the flu virus.
“Mobile teams of doctors, nurses and other specialists must be on standby for efficient and sustained efforts to address an influenza pandemic whose impact is difficult to predict. It is also equally important to disseminate proper information on how to prevent the disease from spreading,” Escudero said.
He also asked the DOH to establish tie-ups with other government agencies like the Department of Education for quick mobilization.
“The combined manpower resources of the DOH may not suffice if several outbreaks occur.”
The DOH has already confirmed two cases of AH1N1 infection in Eastern Visayas (Region 8), a high school student and a seaman who arrived from Singapore.
So far, the Philippines has not reported any deaths from AH1N1, which has claimed 163 deaths worldwide from more than 35,000 cases reported by 76 countries. (Bukidnon News)
