Neg. Or. vice-governor pushes for ways to reduce expenses on anti-rabies vaccines

DUMAGUETE CITY, July 2 (PNA) – Negros Oriental Vice-Gov. Jose Baldado is asking doctors if it would be medically feasible not to immediately prescribe for anti-rabies vaccines to a dog-bite victim and, instead, submit the dog-head sample to the diagnostic laboratory for immediate examination if the animal has rabies.

Baldado was instrumental in the purchase of the microscope for use in the anti-rabies laboratory of the province.

He considers his suggestion as an option to save on expenses rather than spend for at least P30,000 for the vaccines for the patient and find out later that the dog is rabid-free.

Baldado said when such dog is free of rabies, anti- tetanus vaccines maybe prescribed by attending physician.

The vice governor was hoping, this can be part of the protocol, so that dog-bite victims and their families will not be burdened.

Meanwhile, the provincial veterinary office has scheduled a mid-year evaluation regarding the anti-rabies campaign of the government.

Provincial Veterinary Officer Dr. Antonio Mutia said a good number of dog-head samples were brought to the diagnostic laboratory after incidents of dog bites and not one of them was found positive of rabies.

With the establishment of the laboratory, the people do not have to bring their samples to Cebu for examination and therefore save on costs and extra expenses.

In the last action planning, the establishment of animal bite treatment center was agreed among district hospitals.