DAVAO CITY — Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has called on Dabawenyos to trust medical doctors as she brushed aside misconceptions and fears that getting tested or swabbed for the coronavirus is painful.
The Mayor who was interviewed in the city government-owned radio station DCDR on Friday noon said she respects people practicing some traditional cures or home remedies for some diseases, but people still need to follow medical advice to prevent contracting the coronavirus disease.
The chief executive issued the statement when she was asked about her opinion regarding the practice of Cebu City where the government recommends the use of steam inhalation or ‘tuob’ for those who feel like having the covid-19 symptoms. The government is also distributing “tuob” kits to the people.
Duterte-Carpio reminded the residents to follow the advice of the World Health Organization and the Department of Health in treating the coronavirus pandemic.
“Yes naa ta’y mga atoang tinuhoan, but sundon pud gihapon nato kung unsa tong giingon sa World Health Organization, giingon sa Department of Health na kinahanglan nato buhaton (Yes, we have our own beliefs, but we must still follow the advice of the Workd Health Organization and the Department of Health on what needs to be done),” she said.
For those who fear of undergoing the test, she said they need to trust the medical doctors like epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists as they are experts in this field.
For those who feel like they have the symptoms, the mayor advised them to proceed to local government authorities or visit the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) to seek medical advice and follow the doctors’ recommendations first.
“Kung duna ta’y gibati, muduol ta para ma-testing ta and I think mas maayo kung and doktor mismo ang musulti sa atoa unsa atoang kinahanglan buhaton, unsa imohang tambal, asa ka padulong…and then we can add on ang atong mga tinuhoan nato – atong mga herbal na mga tambal. Always with the permission sa atoang mga medical doctors… (If we experience symptoms, let us seek medical advice. I think the doctors must be the one telling us what to do, what medications to take, where to go, then we can just add our self-prescriptions or own beliefs like taking herbal medicines. Just ask permission from the doctors first),” she stressed.
A person experiencing symptoms like cough, colds, fever, sore throat, and diarrhea should approach the local government or visit the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) – the official Covid-19 hospital in the city for testing and advice, she noted.- Newsline with CIO report.Â
