By PR | 06:55 PM September 18, 2024
The province of Bohol is currently hosting the 2024 Rabies Summit by the Department of Health (DOH) Region 7 in a resort in Panglao on September 17-20.
The four-day event aims to review the program implementation and planning workshop of the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program (NRPCP), attended by 77 program coordinators in the Central Visayas Region.
Dr. Jonathan Neil Erasmo, Chief of the Local Health Support Division of DOH 7 Center for Health Development (CHD), welcomed participants followed by Dr. Bayo Fatunbi, Technical Officer from the World Health Organization (WHO), expounding the institution’s role in the NRPCP.
Dr. Alexander Taruc, WHO Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD), Consultant, gave updates on NRPCP. At the same time, Dr. Ronald Jarvik Buscato, Medical Officer IV of DOH 7 CHD, presented the guidelines on rabies and animal bite management.
Senior Program Health Officer Jaika Jel Besira of DOH 7 CHD also tackled the region’s status of the Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs) and Animal Bite Clinics (ABCs).
In a quick interview during the opening of the event, Besira shared the overall objective of the summit, especially on streamlining the program’s processes.
“Our goal is to include those LGUs (local government units) that don’t have their own ABTC through zoning, improving referral system of patients with animal bite cases, and (also) vaccination,” Besira expressed.
On the second day, Dr. Orfel June Calunsag, Veterinarian II of the Department of Agriculture 7, gave an update on animal rabies initiatives followed by a presentation on the PhilHealth Benefit Package for Animal Bites.
Dr. Charin Thawornkuno of the Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine at Mahidol University shared a discussion entitled the promising anti-rabies lgY Immunoglobulin.
Hope Desiree Lapasaran, and Kenneth Canales, Nurse II of DOH 7 CHD, presented topics on the standard forms and rabies death investigation, respectively.
Meanwhile, the second day ended with each provincial rabies coordinator presenting their provincial rabies programs, with presenters including Glinnie Ricamor, Siquijor; Ariel Mendez, Negros Oriental; Dominic Tagnipez, Cebu; and Polizena Rances, Bohol.
On September 19, participants will engage in a planning workshop and presentation of best practices of ABTC in each province, ABTC flow of services of highly-urbanized cities such as Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue, and workshop outputs.
On the last day of the regional summit, participants will present the Regional Action Plan, engage in an open forum, reach agreements, and conduct evaluations based on the co-created workshop outputs and shared best practices of NRPCP.
Rabies, a viral disease that affects the central nervous system, is typically transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly through bites.
In a report from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) in July 2023, there was an increase in rabies cases and deaths, with 5,880 cases and seven deaths documented.
Bohol has a total of 15 ABTCs and ABCs where Boholanos can receive proper cleaning and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccines to prevent rabies infection.
With the report from the PHO, Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado issued a memorandum last year to reinforce responsible pet ownership to reduce the number of stray dog-related road accidents and animal bite cases as part of the Strategic Change Agenda on safety and wellness for Boholanos. (PIMO/JSS)
