DAVIDE
RATHER than question the province’s declaration of a dengue outbreak, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said the Department of Health (DOH) should help the provincial government instead.
Davide commented on the recent pronouncements of DOH and Regional Epidemiological and Surveillance Unit (RESU-7) questioning the declaration of a province-wide dengue outbreak by the Cebu Provincial Board last Monday.
“My comment on DOH is that, the powers and functions of a local government’s health office was already devolved. Instead of questioning us, why can’t they help us instead?” Davide said.
Earlier RESU-7 chief Rennen Cimafranca said if the Provincial Health Office (PHO) followed the criteria set by DOH, the number of dengue cases they recorded in the province is insufficient to justify the declaration of a province-wide outbreak.
Davide said the PHO won’t recommend the declaration of a dengue outbreak without any basis.
“We have Dr. Niño Ismael Pastor (PHO chief) who is very much qualified to assess since he is an epidemiologist,” Davide said.