Dengue kits distributed to hospitals, clinics

THE Tropical Diseases Prevention Control Unit of the Davao City Health Office distributed free dengue NS1 rapid diagnostic test kits to hospitals and clinics in the city.

Tropical Diseases Control and Prevention Unit head Beth Banzon, told SunStar Davao in an interview Thursday that they gave kits to Isaac Rubillo Hospital, St. Felix Toril Hospital, Holy Spirit Hospital, Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), Acosta Clinic in Sasa, and Isaguirre Clinic.

She said that they gave 500 to 700 kits per hospital and clinic.

Last March 21, Banzon said they will go to different private clinics in the city to allow the distribution of the NS1 Rapid Diagnostic test, which can detect if a person has high probability of having dengue and will allow a person to be referred immediately to hospital care.

Banzon said to make this work, the city government will sign an agreement with the hospitals where they will distribute the NS1 kits for free. The hospitals, at the same time, are required to submit the report on how many patients have availed the kit.

She urged everyone to avail the free diagnostic test at the health centers, the hospitals, and clinics.

Banzon said that from January to March this year their office recorded 368 cases of dengue which is lower than 461 cases recorded on the same period last year. KVC