• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Mayor Greg Gasataya, who marked his 100 days in office Oct. 8, ordered the free administration of rabies vaccines to categories II and III patients belonging to priority sectors in Bacolod, including senior citizens and indigents.
“Sugod buwas (Oct. 9), libre na ang anti-rabies vaccine sa aton City Health Office,” Gasataya said in a statement last night. “Gin pirmahan na naton subong nga gab-i ang Executive Order (EO) 59 nga naga mando sang paghatag sang aton ciudad sang libre nga anti-rabies sa mga nagakinahanglan. Health is a right, and as public servants, we must do everything we can to protect that right and improve access to healthcare for our people.”
He said that in the first six months of 2025, Bacolod recorded 5,637 animal bite cases under categories I and II; and 1,088 cases under category III, indicating high demand for post-exposure prophylaxis.
Categories I and II include those exposed via touching or feeding animals, licks on intact skin, contact of intact skin with secretions or excretions of rabid animal, as well as nibbling of uncovered skin, and minor scratches or abrasions without bleeding, per medical journals. Category III exposure includes single or multiple transdermal bites or scratches, licks on broken skin, and contamination of mucous membrane with saliva.
Gasataya said the significant number of animal bite cases recorded by the City Health Office necessitates “the urgent implementation of free rabies vaccination for Category II exposures among senior citizens, indigent residents, and other marginalized groups, in the interest of public welfare and for the protection of public health and the prevention of fatalities.”
All animal bites shall be managed without delay, the EO stressed, adding that no patient’s access to treatment shall be delayed or conditioned by claims processing.
“The city government is committed to safeguarding its constituents from the deadly threat of rabies by ensuring the availability and equitable distribution of rabies vaccines,” Gasataya added. | CGC
