Forum on rabies prevention held

SUBIC, Zambales – The Provincial Government of Bataan thru the Provincial Health Office (PHO) conducted a forum on rabies prevention and control last Friday, December 2, at the Mansion Garden Hotel, Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ).

Republic Act (RA) 9482 also known as the Anti-Rabies Act and the Provincial Ordinance: Resolution No. 175 were highlighted in the forum attended by personnel from Rural Health Units and LGUs of the 11 municipalities and the lone city and different concerned agencies and departments such as DepED and DILG.

Dr. Rosanna Buccahan, PHO officer-in- charge introduced the participants and guests in the said event while Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Member and Chairman on Committee of Health Hon. Noel Joseph Valdecañas welcomed the delegates and reiterated the importance of the event in the realization of the vision of the province.

Ma. Dolores Gara from the Provincial Veterinary Office reported the Provincial Veterinary updates on animal rabies cases. According to her, from 2010 to 2013 the province recorded zero cases of animal rabies bites but in 2014, a total of 22 cases were reported and got higher with one notch up with 23 cases in 2015.

Bernadette Manahan, Rabies Prevention and Control Program Nurse Coordinator discussed the Rabies Program Status and the review on guidelines on animal bite treatment management in the province.

Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Nurse, Michael Angelo Baluyot conducted the rabies surveillance while Dr. Maria Belina Ibasco, MD., enlightened the delegates on the implementing rules and regulations on RA 9482 providing for the control and elimination of human and animal rabies, prescribing penalties for violation thereof and appropriating funds therefor.

Dr. Buccahan, reviewed the Provincial Ordinance to be used by the local government officials in drafting their municipal ordinance on animal rabies prevention.

To end the forum, the delegates expressed their commitment on the implementation of the projects to eliminate the animal rabies cases in the province.