TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The provincial government has assured dialysis patients’ access to facilities while the Enhanced Community Quarantine is in effect.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases in the province said a list of names and addresses of patients who undergo dialysis or chemotherapy in medical facilities in Region 2 is already collated.
Gov. Ferdinand Tubban said the list would allow the provincial government, the six municipalities, and this city, to address the needs of the patients during the month-long quarantine.
During the IATF-Kalinga meeting last week, Tubban said the towns should submit the list as there are about 100 kidney patients from the province undergoing either dialysis or chemotherapy in Cagayan Valley’s capital of Tuguegarao and Isabela, who need to be assisted as they cross borders. Tuguegarao is a 45-minute drive from this city.
Others who need to go to Tuguegarao for medical treatment will also be included.
There are four medical facilities in Kalinga – the government-run Kalinga Provincial Hospital, Almora General Hospital, Taclobao Hospital, and San Juan General Hospital.
Only Almora Hospital offers dialysis services but limited to 20 patients per day and will not be able to serve an additional 100 patients.
Tubban said a memorandum containing the list would be issued and distributed to the checkpoints to avoid a repeat of an incident where a patient going to Tuguegarao was prevented by the police from leaving.
In the meeting, Tubban said the national protocol exempts medical purposes from the quarantine, as he recommended carpooling for kidney patients who have no vehicles while those with service must get a quarantine pass.
Medical practitioners holding clinics in Kalinga are likewise allowed entry upon showing proof of their profession. – PNA
April 17, 2024
