Iloilo City expands animal bite services

The Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) recorded over 6,000 animal bite cases in the metropolis last year.

Rabies continues to be a major health concern, primarily caused by rabid and stray dogs and cats.

To address this concern and maximize health efforts, the City Government is expanding Animal Bite services to La Paz and Mandurriao health centers to cater to more patients and provide immediate medical attention to animal bites to prevent rabies-related infections and deaths.

“We continue to implement initiatives to improve the health needs of our people through building, operating, and maintaining facilities and service that are accessible to the Ilonggo community,” Mayor Jerry P. Treñas stressed.

CHO is currently working on the licenses of the two animal bite centers with the Department of Health (DOH) and is targeted to operate by third quarter of this year.

“Around two staff members from Mandurriao and La Paz health centers will undergo training on animal bite management and the collection, handling, and transporting of samples for diagnosis of human rabies; this is a requirement of DOH for PhilHealth accreditation,” City Health Officer Dr. Anabelle Tang said.

A person bitten by a dog usually requires six dates of injections costing up to P1,200 per shot, or some P8,000 to complete the whole dose.

“The animal bite services provide relief for llonggos in need, defraying the cost of the injections and reducing their medical expenses,” said Tang. (Andrea Pearl Fernandez/Iloilo City PIO)