SAN LEONARDO, Nueva Ecija – A ranking health official in Central Luzon yesterday called on officials of water utilities and local government units to work together to ensure the delivery of clean and safe water and fight the proliferation of water-borne diseases.
Dr. Rio Magpantay, director IV of the Regional Health Office’s Center for Health Development, said that while water-borne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea in Region 3 are not as serious as in other areas, their office has been meeting water officials with regards to chlorinating the water.
“Dapat pagtuunan ng pansin. The job of preventing diseases is not solely of the Department of Health (DOH) but also the people, the local government units and every one who should deal with health,” Magpantay said.
Magpantay was the guest speaker during the inauguration of new facilities of the Gloria Lacson General Hospital here over the weekend.
Meanwhile, he said dengue is one of the serious health threats in Central Luzon these days. He noted that from more than 2,000 cases recorded in 2007, the dengue cases rose to over 4,000 this year.
“Mahigit 100 percent na ang increase,” he noted.
Former Gov. Tomas Joson III, for his part, said that the high cost of medicines barred people from seeking medical help. Joson, who ruled the province for four terms, said the government has to implement various steps to ensure patients receive the needed health attention.
Joson said under his term, he instituted a health insurance system. “Sa panahon ngayon, mas mahal ang magkasakit kaysa mamatay.”
