Prov’l Dengue Summit 2016 observed

BALANGA City, Bataan – To increase public awareness on dengue that would help reduce the risk of transmission as well as to strengthen the inter-sectoral collaboration and identification of responsibilities for dengue control, the Bataan Provincial Health Office (PHO) under the leadership of Dr. Rosanna M. Buccahan, spearheaded the observation of the Provincial Dengue Summit 2016, held at Crown Royale Hotel, this City.

“We are doing this to promote our advocacy that dengue can be prevented. Kung kaya’t ang lahat ay dapat kumilos at umaksyon para maiwasan na hindi magkaroon ng mataas na cases ng dengue,” said Dr. Buccahan, PHO department head.

“Dapat maging malinis tayo. Dapat din na maging aware tayo kung paano maiiwasan yung dengue,” she added.

Bataan Board Member Jose Villapando recalled his experiences during the past dengue summits where he participated while reassuring the participants that they will continue to support all the programs in championing health in our society.

On the other hand, Ms. Rosellyn Joy V. Malit, Nurse III of the LHSD-Communicable Disease Cluster in DOH-Regional Office III, discussed the background on ASEAN Dengue Day, the program status report of Dengue Prevention and Control and the Regional Dengue Update.

“Ang world’s dangerous animal po ay ang lamok at pangalawa ang Region III when it comes to highest dengue cases, very timely itong summit para at the end of this ay magkaroon na tayo ng preventive measures,” Malit pointed out.

“Ang goal ng program is to reduce morbidity and mortality from dengue infection by preventing the transmission of the virus from mosquito vector to human,” Malit added.

Joanamary N. Magpoc, PHO Health Education and Promotion Officer II, reported the dengue status in the province of Bataan and the number of dengue cases by municipality/city, saying “The number of dengue deaths from 2011-2015 already totaled to 18. And during 2016, the top 5 LGUs with the most number of dengue cases are Bagac, Limay, Balanga, Mariveles and Hermosa.”

The Department of Health theme for ASEAN Dengue Day 2016 is “Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue: 4S Pagtibayin.” 4S stands for (1) Search and destroy breeding sites, (2) Self-protection, (3) Seek early advice/consultation at the nearest health center, and (4) Say no to indiscriminate fogging.

The objectives encapsulated in the theme include: Encourage community leaders to participate on specific targeting strategy of dengue cases and implement appropriate intervention in their community, and to motivate the community members to conduct regular search and destroy of mosquito breeding places inside and outside their houses.

During the program, disease surveillance coordinators, rural sanitary inspectors, dengue coordinators of rural health units and district hospitals, barangay health workers, and representatives from nurse deployment project were present. Also in attendance were barangay chairmen coming from the Top 20 barangays in Bataan with the most number of dengue cases.

Capping the event, all the participants signed the “Pangako ng Nagkakaisang Pagkilos Laban sa Dengue” as their pledge of commitment.

“Dengue control is everyone’s concern. The success depends on all the involvement of all levels from household, family, community, NGOs, social organizations, and the local and national authorities,” Dr. Buccahan said.