Health workers in Region 12 have enlisted the help of “tandok” practitioners, who provide alternative treatments for rabies, to educate dog bite victims about the dangers of the disease and encourage them to seek proper medical care and vaccination. Dr. Charmaine Pearl Cedeño, regional rabies medical coordinator of the Department of Health (DOH)-Region 12, emphasized the importance of combining traditional practices with medical treatment, especially in geographically isolated areas where “tandok” is often the first option. “Tandok” involves using a deer horn to supposedly extract the rabies virus, while other traditional methods include faith healing with stones, oils, or leaves. The DOH, however, advises against relying solely on these practices, as they are ineffective against rabies. From January 1 to March 1, DOH-12 recorded six rabies-related deaths, a decrease from eight cases in the same period last year. The region continues its year-round campaign to combat rabies, promoting responsible pet ownership and vaccination. Dr. Neil Doton of the Department of Agriculture-Region 12 noted that the region’s cat and dog population has grown to over 500,000, with only 38% vaccinated. To address this, 42,000 doses of anti-rabies vaccines have been procured to support local government vaccination efforts. The campaign underscores that rabies is preventable through timely vaccination of both pets and bite victims.
