4 O'CLOCK HABIT. Employees of the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas assemble outside the regional office to kick off the "Sabayang 4 O'clock Habit para Deng-Get Out" program on Wednesday (Aug. 7, 2019). DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III declared a national dengue epidemic on Aug. 5 and ordered the simultaneous conduct of the 4 o'clock Habit nationwide. (Photo by Luel Galarpe)
CEBU CITY -- The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) Center for Health Development launched the "Sabayang 4 O'clock Habit para Deng-Get Out" program in the region on Wednesday here.
Health Regional Director Jaime Bernadas ordered all DOH-7 personnel to go out of their respective offices to kick off the simultaneous 4 O'clock Habit activities in Central Visayas.
Bernadas urged the barangays, communities, other government agencies, local government units (LGU), and schools to help the DOH in the fight against dengue by conducting this activity at 4 p.m. every day.
He said some government agencies, LGUs, and schools in Central Visayas are set to start their 4 o'clock habit next week.
"This is a nationwide initiative, which emphasizes on the importance of cleanliness of our surroundings, especially in our homes," Bernadas said in a press conference minutes before the launching.
On the basis that many regions in the country have reached the epidemic level, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III declared a national dengue epidemic on Aug. 5 and ordered the simultaneous conduct of the 4 o'clock habit.
"Although the program is primarily focused on the search and destroy of mosquito breeding sites, we will intensify our information dissemination on our 4S Strategy," said Bernadas.
The "4S" stands for: Search and destroy breeding sites, Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation for fever, and Say yes to fogging when there is an impending outbreak.
Bernadas said he commends Cebu City for adding a fifth S to the 4S Strategy, which is Social Mobilization aimed at encouraging the general public to actively participate in the campaign to prevent and control dengue.
Although the number of cases in Central Visayas has not reached the epidemic threshold, Bernadas said he hopes the 4 o'clock habit would be regularly and religiously practiced to prevent the cases from increasing in the region. (PNA)
