South Cot joins forces in the fight against dengue
In commemoration of the 12th ASEAN Dengue Day and Dengue Awareness Month, City Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena, along with health officials from the Department of Health Region XII (DOH XII), South Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), and City Health Office, joined forces to strengthen the campaign in preventing the increase of dengue cases in the entire province of South Cotabato, with the theme “Crush Dengue for not landing on you,” at City Hall Lobby of Koronadal City on June 15, 2022.
The activity aims to educate South Cotabateños on how to avoid the disease and combat the spread of dengue mosquito carriers.
In his speech, Mayor Ogena said that it is the city government’s policy to clean up the area to fight the deadly dengue disease. “The city’s policy is preventive rather than curative which is more expensive. Be pro-active, don’t wait until we experience epidemic before we act”, the Mayor uttered.
Koronadal is one of the LGUs with three hotspot barangays; the program’s mission through this event is to intensify and reduce dengue case mortality in the city.
Dr. Vincent Ende, the OIC-City Health Officer, announced during the celebration that the city has had 110 cases of dengue since January. He urged everyone to band together and support all dengue-eradication efforts. “We will only succeed against dengue if we are united in cleaning the yard, with the vigilance of the barangay, the guidance of the Department of Health and the support of the local government”, Ende said.
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitos, and the symptoms can become deadly if not treated in its early stage.
According to Dr. Rogelio Aturdido, Jr., Provincial Health Officer of South Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) that the participations of NGOs, people organizations and private individuals is very important because the battle against dengue is not only the work of the government but also of all. “We have to embrace the dengue prevention and control program”, he said.
In accordance with the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Data of IPHO there are three (3) barangays in Koronadal that were classified as probable cases: Barangay Sta. Cruz, Barangay General Paulino Santos (GPS) and Barangay Morales, while one death from Barangay Rotonda was also reported.
Additionally, both Dr. Rogelio Aturdido, Jr. of IPHO and Dr. Suhaima Dalimbang of DOH Region XII, the representative of Regional Director Aristides Concepcion Tan, take part in anti -dengue activities. He also thanked all the health care workers and barangay chiefs for their respective initiatives to continue the eradication of dengue cases throughout the province.
Meanwhile, it is critical that everyone understands the consequences of dengue fever and the precautions they must take to avoid contracting it. Every member of the community can play an important role in dengue prevention.
One of the strategies implemented by the city’s sanitation inspectors is to intensify dengue awareness and surveillance especially during rainy season. By using “KAP” Codes:
K- Knowledge about dengue (Transmission, symptoms)
A – Activities
P – Practices to prevent dengue to spread in the community
Meanwhile, the Audio Visual Presentation of Dengue Best Practices by various local government units was presented in the celebration, the attendees signed the Call of Support and Pledge of Commitment, and a press conference related to the said celebration was held.
With these intensified efforts, the authorities expressed their hope that people and barangay officials will work together to ensure that the epidemic does not harm people’s health and lives.