Dengue Alert

THE City Council will ask Cebu City Medical Center officials to explain on Wednesday's session allegations of asking payment from city residents, who were examined for possible dengue.

Cebu City Councilor Gerardo Carillo said yesterday he was also temporarily stopped the P5 million dengue funds for the CCMC until the hospital officials could properly explain to city council the allegations.

Carillo said esterday that some residents in the city complained to him that they were asked to pay for some of the tests in the city hospital despite a fast lane intended for patients possibly suffering from dengue.

Carillo said he asked somebody to confirm and avail of the dengue fast lane.

The patient however was endorsed to a clinic in front of the hospital.

“What was worse, the patient was told to have his CBC (Complete Blood Count) checked. He was told to go to clinic in front of the hospital,” Carillo said in Cebuano.

He said the patient was made to pay at the clinic more than P100 for the CBC, which is available in the CCMC.

Carillo said the city government appropriated money for the dengue campaign and gave instructions to CCMC personnel as a pre-cautionary measure that those who were sick will have a free check up in the CCMC, in the city health office or barangay health center.

“The city through me appropriated money. Where is the money? Where was it used? Who are the patients? They have to explain this to the council,” said Carillo.