Neglected Diseases. Sanitary inspectors, environmental and occupational health coordinators from Calabarzon met for the two-day “Integrated Orientation on Neglected Tropical Diseases-Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (NTD-WASH) at the Ramada Hotel Manila on March 28-29. (Photo courtesy of DOH4A-MRCU)
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna -- While the uptick in dengue and measles cases may be getting the most attention nowadays, the Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public in the Calabarzon Region that there are other tropical diseases that they should be wary of as well.
The DOH pointed out that six out of 17 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) remain prevalent in the country today. These include filariasis, schistosomiasis, helminthiasis, leprosy, rabies and food and water borne diseases.
“The implementation and integration of NTD and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program in the local health system is still a challenge because of the fact that it is not a priority to some local government units and others have limited or no support due to lack of budget, manpower and policies to support it,”DOH Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said.
To address this seeming neglect on the part of local government units (LGUs) and other concerned offices, the DOH Calabarzon gathered various sanitary inspectors, environmental and occupational health coordinators from Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon and regional staff for a two-day “Integrated Orientation on NTD-WASH” last week.
Janairo said the event which took place at the Ramada Hotel, Manila from March 28-29, focused on providing solutions and support, technical assistance and capacity building among health workers, including the provision of resources needed in the implementation of the program.
“If these health concerns are not properly and immediately addressed, it will continue to contribute to the high prevalence of NTDs in the country, that is why we will be increasing the coverage of eligible population for mass drug administration to 85 percent to be able to prevent and eliminate NTDs,” he said.
He said the preventive measures include deworming, vector prevention and control by regular space spraying operations in endemic areas and promotion of animal health in the community.
DOH, referring to a 2011 study by the World Health Organization, disclosed that the Philippines accounts for 2.8 percent of the global burden of NTDs in Asia.
It also presented the recommended five strategies for the prevention, control, elimination and eradication of NTDS in the country, which include use of preventive chemotherapy, intensified disease management, vector and intermediate host control, veterinary intervention at the human-animal interface and provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene.
According to Janairo, the regional office training on NTD-WASH also aims to boost partnership between the DOH regional office and Calabarzon LGUs’ implementation of community and school interventions in addition to capacity building initiatives.
He added that community interventions cover home improvement campaigns, clean-up exercises, water quality assessment, promotion of drinking safe water through household point-of-use chlorination, promotion of hand washing, and support towards solid waste management.
“One of the goals of the NTD-WASH training is to reduce the prevalence of soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in the communities by 2022,” Janairo said. (PNA)
