• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The establishment of water analysis laboratory is currently being entertained by the provincial government of Negros Occidental, to address the need for cheaper and faster examination of water samples.
This was disclosed yesterday by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan, following a visit by representatives of the World Health Organization and the Department of Health to Negros Occidental, who took note of waterborne diseases in some local government units in the province.
WHO and DOH representatives recently visited Talisay City and EB Magalona, which recorded a high number of cholera cases.
From January to November 4 this year, the Provincial Health Office logged 91 suspected cases of cholera, where eight of the victims died.
The report added that 23 out of 31 local government units in Negros Occidental, excluding highly urbanized Bacolod City, have at least one suspected case of cholera.
Murcia topped the 31 LGUs in terms of having the most number of cholera cases at 19, followed by San Carlos City with 14 and Talisay City ranking third with nine cases.
Pinongan admitted that LGUs have a hard time conducting real time analysis of water samples as they have to bring it to private laboratories in Bacolod City.
She suggested the idea to put up Type C laboratories to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
“We are looking at utilizing our district hospitals so that every district in the province can easily test water samples,” Pinongan said.*
