At Cebu City Medical Center: Fast lane for dengue

CEBU, Philippines —  As Cebu City continues to fight a rise in dengue cases, residents are urged to take advantage of the fast lane for dengue cases at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).

Laboratory works and hospitalization at CCMC due to dengue are free of charge, said Dr. Anton Oliver Reposar, the hospital’s medical director.

“Libre ra tanan basta dengue,” he said.

Reposar said they decided to re-activate the fast lane for dengue with the entrance of the rainy season.

The re-opening of the fast lane is also in line with the city’s aggressive effort to quell its dengue cases, now at 946 as of June 3, 2022. At least 17 have died from the disease since the start of the year.

Reposar said it can take some time for dengue patients to get admitted to hospitals as there is a tendency to downplay a fever.

“Ang uban, maglibog sila kung mahilantan unya maayo… ilang dugay-dugayon… and uban pud, og hilanat na, ila na dayong dalhon (to CCMC)… depende ra gyud,” he said.

He urged city residents, especially parents, to have their children checked right away when they experience fever for two straight days.

“Naa tay gitawag og early detection or early recognition nga kung maghilanat ilang anak og two days, mas maayo nga ilang ipa-konsulta na daan sa hospital or sa health centers para ma-laboratory para kung simbako’g dengue gyud, at least, maaksyonan dayon kung unsay dapat para maulian,” Reposar said.

The city has also asked private hospitals to also open fast lanes for dengue.

Gerry Carillo, chairperson of the Cebu City Risk Reduction Management Council, said the city will help in the expenses if only to ensure that patients, especially the poor, get the medical attention they need.

Campaign

The city government is also intensifying its campaign against dengue by strengthening the task force in barangays and reactivating its hotline, which will be made available this week.

As of this writing, the city is monitoring 12 barangays closely due to dengue cases, according to the city’s public information office. These include Capitol Site, Guadalupe, Inayawan, Kamputhaw, Labangon, Lahug, Mambaling, Poblacion Pardo, Punta Princesa, Quiot, Talamban, and Tisa.

Carillo said there is a need for the Barangay Task Force-Dengue to undertake preventive control measures.

The task force in each barangay is expected to lead clean-up drives; misting; and information dissemination on the disease itself, preventive measures, and the free services at CCMC.

Carillo also suggested regular patrolling and garbage collection.

Participation from residents is also key.

“We need to reinforce our dengue hotline and encourage them to report,” Carillo said. – JMO (FREEMAN)