HEALTH secretary Francisco Duque hit the nail on the head during a visit to Iloilo on Thursday. When local governments fail to invest in dengue preventive measures, outbreaks ensue, he said. This is why we have dengue epidemics in Western Visayas provinces.
This paper in fact reported about this on July 15. People became complacent, according to the Department of Health’s regional epidemiologist in trying to explain the numerous dengue cases in Western Visayas. The regional office had been issuing public warnings as early as last year about a possible surge in dengue cases, according to Dr. Jessie Glen Alonsabe, citing the trend observed in recent years – dengue outbreaks tend to occur every three years. But instead of taking precautionary measures, people became complacent perhaps due to the lull in cases in 2018 and 2017.
Let us make this clear: eradicating dengue is not only a government responsibility. Each citizen can help stop dengue’s spread. Because they are anchored on people’s direct participation, people-based health programs and activities work. The 4S strategy against dengue that DOH promotes is an example. This is a community effort highlighting communal welfare. Do not belittle 4S, says Duque.
Also, the invaluable role of volunteer community health workers should be maximized. They fill in the gaps where there are no doctors and nurses. In fact, now that we have a dengue outbreak, there is a shortage of doctors and nurses in government hospitals to tend to patients.
Now no longer a rainy season disease, cases of dengue are being reported nationwide throughout the year. If left unchecked, it would only be a matter of time before dengue becomes a national health crisis.
