THE ANIMAL Bite Treatment Center (ABTC) will open more satellite offices to meet the growing demands of clients needing anti-rabies vaccine doses.
During the iSpeak forum on May 2, Dr. Annaliza Malubay, ABTC Medical Officer IV, said their health center in Magallanes could only cater up to 300 to 350 clients per day, including new cases, consultations, giving of vaccine doses, and follow-ups.
“Nakita sa city ang need na daghan kaayo’g gusto mag-avail sa ABTC Main Magallanes, so what we do is to open up more satellite for more access sa mga layo sa main center,” Malubay said.
Aside from Magallanes, the following ABTC satellite centers are located in Toril Proper (opens daily), Mintal Health Center (opens daily), and Calinan District Brgy. Talomo River (open on Tue and Fri), Marilog District Hospital (opens every Sat), Angliongto in Sasa District (open on Mon and Thurs), Bunawan (open on Tue and Fri), and Paquibato District Hospital (open on Tue and Fri).
The center also continues to distribute pre-exposure prophylaxis vaccine doses, which are given to clients who were not yet bitten but whose areas are at high risk of rabies due to several stray dogs (as recorded by the City Veterinarian’s Office), and post-exposure prophylaxis vaccine doses, who are given to those that are bitten.
“We have complete anti-rabies vaccines in the center. Usually, some need three doses, and four if stray animals bite them, and we give them free of charge. Both of our vaccines came from the Department of Health and we are fortunate to have supplies from our local government unit,” Malubay said.
Malubay stressed that vaccine doses are prioritized to be given to those at high risk and in need of immunoglobulins.
“After one is bitten and the stray animal is not observed, we will immediately give vaccines to them no matter how long ago the incident occurred. But if the biting animal was observed to be alive more than weeks already, we will not give vaccines to them anymore,” she said.
She also urged the public not to do any procedure that could complicate and infect the affected area, such as rubbing a clove of garlic on the open wound.
“We just need to wash and cleanse it with running water in ten to fifteen minutes and clean it with soap. After that, you can visit the nearest ABTC for medication,” she added.
In 2023, among the 17,617 cases of patients recorded by ABTC, Brgy. 76-A Bucana is the top most among barangay where the biting occurred with a total of 1,846 cases. The completion of the vaccine last year was 16,435 with 93.29% completion. According to their data, 98% of the biting animals were dogs.
Malubay also urged pet owners to be responsible for their pets particularly to give them vaccinations, as they will also be liable for one’s life if possible trouble occurs.
