SUPPORT FOR DENGUE. A C-130 plane transports to Iloilo donations from the Philippine Red Cross to support the needs of increasing dengue cases in Western Visayas on Sunday (July 21, 2019). Data from the Department of Health Center for Health Development-Western Visayas showed that from January 1 to July 13 this year, the region has 18, 834 cases with 94 deaths, the highest among 17 regions in the country. (Photo courtesy of Gilbert Valderrama/PRC Iloilo)
ILOILO CITY -- The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in Western Visayas has urged the public to focus on destroying mosquito-breeding places during clean-up activities as cases continue to rise in the region.
This was reiterated by-DOH CHD Western Visayas Regional Director Marlyn Convocar in a press conference on Monday as she noticed that the clean-up activities held during the weekend were done along streets, where there are no breeding places for mosquitoes.
She emphasized that they are supposed to do their cleanup where there is a possible presence of stagnant water, such as vacant lots in subdivisions and abandoned housing projects, among others.
“Mosquitoes could not be found on the streets. We find where the (stagnant) water is and clean them,” she said.
The cleanup drive should also be done seriously, as she disclosed that there were some who joined the cleanup just for photo opportunities.
“Once we destroy their breeding places, we can already control around 50 percent. Half of the work should be at home and half is inside our houses,” she said.
DOH data from January 1 to July 13 covering the 28th morbidity week showed that cases have increased to 18,834 with 94 deaths, representing a 259 percent increase when compared with the same period last year.
The age group with the highest death is still the one to 10 years, with 58 deaths equivalent to 61.7 percent and 11 to 20 years old with 14 deaths.
Comparing with the data during the 27th morbidity week, an additional 1,919 cases were recorded and seven deaths during the 28th morbidity week.
The DOH data showed that from June 1 until July 13 this year, an average of 230 cases are being admitted daily, compared with the 93 average admissions a day from January to June 2019.
As cases continue to increase, Convocar also expressed gratitude to various nongovernment agencies, private sector, and the national government agencies for the help they have extended to address the health problem.
Convocar said that the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), following the coordination between Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and PRC chairman Senator Richard Gordon, sent four tents, four-generation sets, 60 cot beds, and 120 linens.
Meantime, she suggested that for other donors, instead of foods, it would be better if they donate jogging pants and high-knee socks to children below 10 years old, the age group which has the most number of deaths.
She added that they have already advised the Department of Social Welfare and Development for day-care children and the Department of Education to allow their pupils to wear jogging pants instead of uniforms.
The Philippine Pediatric Society will also be holding clinic hours on Tuesday and Thursday morning this week in Cabatuan and Janiuay, Convocar said. (PNA)
