Negros Occidental – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Negros Occidental is proposing the establishment of a drinking water analysis laboratory in each of the province's six congressional districts. This initiative aims to provide a faster response in tackling water-borne diseases. Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan, the provincial health officer, revealed this plan on Tuesday, following an exit conference with teams from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) that recently visited areas in the province affected by cholera.
According to Philippines News Agency, Dr. Pinongan, the necessity for regular water source analysis was discussed, emphasizing the costly and time-consuming process currently in place, which requires water samples to be sent to Bacolod City for monthly analysis. The results of these analyses often take a month to be released. To address this, the PHO has recommended the possibility of setting up Category C laboratories, which can perform microbiological-physical-chemical service capabilities, in the province. Additionally, there is interest in establishing Category A laboratories for microbiological analysis in various inter-local health zones.
Dr. Pinongan mentioned that district hospitals, which have medical technologists on duty, could accommodate these water analysis laboratories. This move would ensure that each district in Negros Occidental has access to crucial laboratory services. The WHO and DOH teams visited Silay and Talisay cities, as well as E.B. Magalona town in the third district, which have reported cholera outbreaks in the past. Dr. Pinongan noted that while cholera cases are not increasing, sporadic cases have been reported not only in the third district but also in the first district of the province.