DOH-Samar opens new Schistosomiasis control unit

By ALICE NICART, PIA Samar
February 14, 2011

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  With a total package costing some P500,000, the newly rehabilitated Schistosomiasis Control Unit of Samar province was inaugurated Monday with Father Arnold Sison, who blessed the building and its surroundings.

Doctor Antonio Terazona, Medical Specialist IV and Provincial Department of Health Representative (DOHREP) informed that the building in shades of yellow paint will serve the public here with Malacology and Paracetology rooms.

“Malacology specialists treat the disease-bringing snail while the Paracetologists treat the human stool for infectious organisms,” Dr. Terazona said.

He further reported that nine municipalities and one city in the province are schisto endemic, thus the need for the center: Basey, Sta. Rita, Catbalogan, Tarangnan, San Jorge, Gandara, Pagsanghan, Sta. Margarita, Pinabacdao and Calbayog are under the list, however, the doctor assured that not all barangays in the towns mentioned are affected with the dreadful snail.

Asked how could the public prevent such a disease, the 51 year-old doctor mentioned about their control program which includes mass treatment cum deworming which is done to 6 to 65 year-old group of people.  Also, massive information campaigns continue for people to avoid stagnant waters and submit whenever possible for stool examination and treatment, even the strike of the disease.

It is because once the larva enters the human body, the health officer informed that it is hardly irreversible except when major organs have not yet been damaged.

“But otherwise, we can only control the further spread of the granola and lengthen the life span of the patient, thus, it is important to detect the early stage of the schisto in the body”, he added.

The Schistosomiasis Team which comprise also the technical team from the Rural Health Unit here is responsible in providing the health service needed by the public.

Dr. Terazona warns the public to be alarmed and submit for medical help when an unusual stomach pain is felt added to bloody stool and fever, but a regular check up is still better, he said.