Non-communicable diseases top causes of death in Baguio

By Gaby B. Keith

BAGUIO CITY –Leading causes of death here last year were non-communicable diseases like cancer, Health Services Office chief Dr. Rowena Galpo said.

Galpo bared this after flag-raising rites at City Hall saying next were vascular and heart diseases with pneumonia, a communicable disease while kidney disease was fifth leading cause of death in the city in 2020.
    Leading causes of morbidity or illnesses in the city last year were upper respiratory tract infections, a communicable disease followed by hypertension, a non-communicable disease.
    She said tuberculosis detection rate is still below the 90 percent target but has increased last year to 34 percent from its previous 32 percent.  Tuberculosis treatment success rate is currently at 81 percent.
    Galpo warned the city’s maternal mortality rate has been increasing for the past several years showing a sudden spike from 45.19 percent in 2019 to 67.65 percent in 2020.
    “One of the reasons for this could be the fear of going for consultation in health facilities, especially hospitals, due to the pandemic,” she said.

Two birthing facilities were licensed by the HSO last year, Atok Trail and Irisan health centers, with those in Pinsao, Pacdal, Atab and Loakan to follow suit, Galpo added.