Dagupan City — Acute gastroenteritis claimed 36 lives in the province from January to the second week of August 2019.
Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa de Guzman, provincial health officer, said 6,695 cases were reported this year compared to 2018’s 5,533 cases or a 21-percent jump.
“Out of 36 fatalities, seven are from Dagupan City,” she said.
Guzman pointed out that San Carlos City, Mangaldan, Bayambang, Calasiao, and Alaminos City are closely being monitored as they yielded the highest concentration of acute gastroenteritis cases.
She also emphasized the need to find clean sources of drinking water, adding “the safest method of purification would be boiling water, although there are other alternatives.”
Kalusugan Karaban, a joint project of the provincial health office and the provincial government, has been distributing chlorine bottles for drinking water purification and gerry cans for water storage.
To counter the threat of dengue, olyset nets or insecticide-treated nets are also given away.
The Kalusugan Karaban through its mobile health caravan offers “medical and pedia consultation, free medicines after check-up, tooth extraction, supplemental feeding program, laboratory diagnostic examination – blood typing, RBS and urinalysis, TB control program – chest x-ray and exam, water sanitation service, lectures on health programs, dog vaccination and anti-dengue information drive.” (Jojo Mangahis)