The provincial government of Bohol has been urged to stock anti-venom serum in Capitol-managed district hospitals after a young girl died from a poisonous snake bite due to lack of treatment.
The girl, who was bitten by a snake in Loon town, was initially taken to Loon hospital that did not have any anti-venom.
She was later transferred to the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center in Tagbilaran City, but it was too late and she died.
Currently, only two hospitals in Bohol, the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center and Del Valle Hospital in Ubay, have stocks of anti-venom.
Observers say that having anti-venom serum in district hospitals would give patients a better chance of survival, especially those living in remote areas who may have to travel long distances to reach Tagbilaran City.
The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) is now considering plans to stock anti-venom in district hospitals to prevent similar incidents in the future.
According to Dr. Em Uy of the Provincial Health Office (PHO), the governor has given orders to acquire anti-venom for the district hospitals.
Meanwhile, the province is also grappling with a dengue outbreak, with 18 deaths reported since January 2024.
The number of dengue cases has increased by 392.5% compared to the same period last year, with 8,121 patients afflicted with the disease.
The top five local government units with the most number of cases are Tagbilaran City, Inabanga, Ubay, Talibon, and Getafe.
Experts say that preventing mosquito breeding and biting remains the most effective way to control the spread of the disease.