Health authorities join forces to fight measles, polio By: William Jun Garcia-City Media Bureau September 1, 2014 SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union-The provincial and city health officers, Drs. Hector Beñas and Eduardo Posadas urge every residents here to seek professional medical help when their children suffers from the symptoms of measles-rubella in a Ligtas-Tigdas (Measles-free) and anti-polio vaccination activity here on Monday. “We do not have a scientific proof that they (measles-infected patients) were cured by this primitive remedies,” Beñas told this reporter as he encouraged mothers to go to the rural health centers immediately when their children show symptoms of the infection, such as skin rashes and on and off fever. In provinces, most people still believe in the medical myth of rubbing grilled red shallots on patients and then spoon-feed them with the yolk of hard-boiled egg, claiming that the rashes would come out into view on the skin and face and conclude that it will cure the patient. The patient is also prevented from being exposed in the wind and taking a bath until the rashes would subside. The belief is that the patient would die if the rashes did not sprout from the skin and have infected the internal organs, it was learned. “It is a dangerous method, the patient may suffer from infections as we all know, measles include fever with coughs and colds,” Posadas added and said that it may lead to respiratory illnesses like bronchopneumonia if not checked by doctors. Both doctors appealed to the public not to patronize the traditional cure. The Ligtas-Tigdas and polio vaccination will be given for a month as health officials listed a total of 103, 488 measles-rubella target population while oral polio vaccination has a total target population of 121, 486 combined in La Union and San Fernando City, alone. As of January, 6 cases of measles were recorded in La Union with one fatality in Santol, La Union, where earlier health authorities declared a measles outbreak. The total target population to aimed to be vaccinated for both illnesses in Region I is 4, 992, 899 according to Ligtas-Tigdas organizers, the provincial and city health offices, in coordination with the Department of Health Region I. San Fernando is aiming to be the Northern Luzon Health and Wellness center in 2020. Mayor Pablo Ortega is focusing on health programs to keep up with the battle cry. Photo caption: TIGDAS – San Fernando City Mayor Pablo C. Ortega gives an Oral Polio Vaccine to one of the children who availed of the free measles vaccination. The program is in line with the Ligtas-Tigdas activity of the City Government of San Fernando and the Department of Health (DOH) held at People’s Hall, City Hall, San Fernando City, La Union Monday (September 1, 2014). Also in the photo is Dr. Hector Beñas, La Union provincial health officer (left). (Photo by: ERWIN G. BELEO-City Media Bureau) TIGDAS - An employee from the City Health Office, administers the free measles vaccine to a child who availed of teh service during the launching of the Ligtas-Tigdas activity of the City Government of San Fernando and the Department of Health (DOH) held at People’s Hall, City Hall, San Fernando City, La Union Monday (September 1, 2014) (Photo by: ERWIN G. BELEO-City Media Bureau) TIGDAS – A free measles and oral polio vaccinations will be administered for the month of September targeting 13,874 and 16,287children respectively in the city. The City government of San Fernando will also be visiting the barangays to provide this service. (Photo by: ERWIN G. BELEO-City Media Bureau)
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 09:26:44 +0000
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