The Department of Health, Region I has urged the public to strengthen forces in the continuous pursuit to defeat dengue as it commemorates the ASEAN Dengue Day observed every 15th of June and the whole month of June as Dengue Awareness Month.
This year, the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office 1 (Ilocos Region) joins the celebration to promote the Dengue Awareness Month with its theme focusing on “Search (and destroy mosquito breeding places) and Seek (early consultation). This aims to focus on the two (2) core actions of the 4S strategies as the shared responsibility for effective dengue prevention and control program.
The 4S implementation calls for everyone to become prime movers in achieving substantial change and positive influencers to others within the community. “The role of barangay health workers in combating this virus is very vital. Cleanliness among our homes is the first step to prevent dengue. By doing this, we must clean our surroundings and empty containers with stagnant waters to eliminate the breeding places of mosquitoes. If fever is persistent, with or without rashes seek early consultation in the nearest health facilities for proper management. – Engr. Antonio, Program Coordinator said.
Stakeholders are very important specially in disseminating the information at the Local Level, in fighting against this virus. Local Government Units, Government agencies and private sectors can join hands to disseminate the importance of preventing the spread of dengue. – Engr. Antonio added.
The challenge to adhere an enhanced 4S implementation is doing them consistently and regularly. A great example is the reactivation of the 4 o’clock habit, a once a week search for key containers and other breeding sites of mosquitoes and eventually destroy them at 4 o’clock in the afternoon in every household. To institutionalize this “Search and Destroy breeding sites” in the locality, the passage of an ordinance is hereby recommended.
Meanwhile, there is a decreasing trend of reported dengue cases to the Regional Epidemiological Surveillance Bureau. Statistics from January 1 to June 11, 2017 show a total of 1003 dengue cases region wide, 48.1% lower compared to the same time period last year (1932).
Make 4s a habit so that together, we can make Ilocos Region a dengue-free community. Let us join together as we fulfill our goal of all for health towards health for all, Engr. Antonio concluded.
