Provincial News
Guimaras: “Rabies Free Island in 2011
Dr. Felicito Lozarita, Provincial Health Officer of Guimaras signs a commitment to the goal- "Rabies Free Island province in 2012"
The province of Guimaras became the pilot area in the Region 6 for the Rabies program of the Department of Health with cooperating agencies from Department of Agriculture which is funded under the World Health Organization sponsored by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
“I have noticed that the Local Chief Executive of Guimaras is very active in all its programs and I believe that this province can achieve the goal as targeted”, said Dr. Raffy Deray, Program Medical Coordinator National Rabies Prevention and Control Program during the launching on March 25, 2010 at the Guimaras Trade and Information Center.
Deray explained that Guimaras is lucky enough to be one of the pilot area in Western Visayas and to get the grant from the BMGF because there are 11 countries that submitted their proposal but only 3 countries got the approval that includes the Philippines. According to Deray, Guimaras was chosen as one of the pilot areas in the country because of its initiatives and effective campaign in the rabies program. He added that the province being the premier tourist destination next to Boracay in Western Visayas needs to meet the challenges as Rabies free island.
Dr. Ma. Sofia Pulmones, DOH6 said that Guimaras’ challenge is to meet the 50% of total dog population vaccinated while the DOH and the BMGF will provide th
e 70% of the total vaccines needed.
It was noted that the province has zero record in rabies from 2006 up to present. It is the record that should be sustained plus the promotion of the responsible pet ownership so that dogs will be managed properly. Another concern is the adoption of the rabies ordinance and the strict implementation in every barangay.
As part of the support to the program is the signing of commitment by the partner agencies. The program was participated by the MHO, MAO and the barangay officials.
