San Carlos City placed under state of health emergency

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Mayor Renato Gustilo declared a state of health emergency in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental last week due to the increasing cases of Amoebiasis.

Gustilo issued an executive order on Feb. 22 after he visited the local hospital on Feb. 21 to check on patients confined for amoebiasis.

“Right now, the overall health of San Carloseños is my top priority,” Gustilo said.

His hospital visit was also to guarantee the responsiveness of the health facility.

In his executive order, Gustilo directed all village chiefs to coordinate with their respective barangay health workers to conduct “recorida” or roving public announcements.

The local chief executive also urged the public to have their drinking water boiled, keep the surroundings clean, and maintain proper hygiene.

Amoebiasis can be contracted by ingesting infective cysts through water or contaminated with infected feces, and by eating with hands without proper washing, as stated in the executive order.