TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Aug 9 (PIA) - In recognition of the important role of stakeholders’ in the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Provincial Government through the Incident Management Team spearheaded a coordination meeting with the officers of the Municipal Health Offices, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Offices, the Provincial and Municipal Chief of Police, Doctors to the Barrio, and Private Hospital Association of Lanao del Norte on Friday, August 7.
Sittie Aminah Quibranza Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte Administrator and IMT Deputy Responsible Officer, thanked the participants for attending the meeting and encouraged them to share their ideas, suggestions, and other concerns on the strategies and approaches initiated by the Provincial Government in curbing if not containing the spread COVID-19.
Governor Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo has recently approved the realignment of some of the Provincial funds to immediately address the continuing health threat by focusing on programs and activities related to COVID-19 until December of this year. One of which is the need to purchase additional Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) Kits primarily intended for Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) and Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs).
Based on the data presented by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Teresa M. Reponte, LSIs and ROFs greatly contributes to the surge of COVID-19 cases in the province.
As of August 6, 115 LSIs and 20 ROF were confirmed positive of COVID-19. In total, the Lanao del Norte has 148 confirmed cases, 87 of which have already recovered, however, it also recorded its first fatality due to local transmission.
The PHO Officer shared that the Provincial Hospital in Kolambugan which was converted into an Isolation Unit with 61 Bed Capacity is now ready to accept patients that are symptomatic IgM Positive, suspect cases, probable cases, and confirmed symptomatic.
Additional isolation units were also created to augment the isolation unit in Old Kapatagan Provincial Hospital, such as the Infirmary and Annex Building in the new Kapatagan Provincial Hospital and the Mindanao Civic Center Stadium.
With regards to the COVID-19 PCR Laboratory at Old Kapatagan Provincial Hospital, Reponte said that all personnel is currently on their level four (4) training, the infrastructure is 100 percent complete, the equipment is 95 percent ready, and it is only awaiting the team from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and the Center for Health Development-Regulations, Licensing and Enforcement Divisions (CHD-RLED) for final inspection and approval to operate.
Provincial Information Officer and the IMT Incident Commander Lyndon G. Calica, also thanked the efforts of the Municipal Government Units, the Private Hospital Association, and the Philippine National Police, and all concerned stakeholders for continuously sharing ideas and actively coordinating with the Provincial Government in facing the problem of COVID-19 pandemic.
He reiterated that Governor Dimaporo is doing her best to protect the health and safety of the residents of Lanao del Norte.
Lawyer Mark Christopher Babor, the Provincial Legal Officer, explained the provisions of Provincial Ordinance 10-2020 or the ordinance which provides for the guidelines on maintaining vital health protocols in the province to fight the spread of COVID-19.
The meeting was also attended by DILG Provincial Director Bruce A. Colao, who also shared his wisdom particularly on issues regarding Authorized Person Outside Residence (APOR) who are refusing to submit for testing and suggested to add provisions in the Provincial Ordinance 10-2020, for their penalties, as well as, requesting Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) to procure Rapid Test Kits for their constituents.
New Police Provincial Director, PCol Rolindo M. Suguilon, meanwhile appealed to LGUs in informing the public and make them understand that PNP is performing its duty in implementing the ordinances. He also assured that the PNP is committed to support the efforts of the Provincial Government and continue to work closely through active coordination for the welfare of the people. (PIO-LDN)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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