Marantao, Lanao del Sur (18 June) -- Armed with broomsticks and determination, Lanao del Sur Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) led more than 500 pupils, teachers and parents in conducting a 'search and destroy' operation against possible breeding places of dengue-carrying mosquitoes yesterday at Bacayawan Elementary School, this town.
Aside from its information and education campaign through the tri-media, IPHO Chief Dr. Alinader Minalang said it is best to bring dengue awareness to every school as much as possible.
He said it is easier to teach the school children because they learn fast.
"They are our advocates against dengue when they go back to their respective homes," he stressed.
Minalang fears that the number of dengue cases in the province could go higher than last year's figure.
There were eighty (80) dengue cases last year with two (2) deaths and six (6) of the total number of cases were reported in this town, he disclosed.
"In the first six (6) months of this year, sixty (60) dengue cases were already reported by our municipal health officers and rural health workers and this figure could even rise if we do nothing about it now," he added.
Minalang is currently coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd) officials in the province to be able to conduct a similar 'search and destroy' operation in other schools to ensure the safety of school children from the dreaded dengue hemorrhagic fever which has already cost the lives of so many people, mostly children.
The month of June has been declared as Dengue Awareness Month in the country. This year's theme is "ToDOH toDOH Kontra Dengue, Goodbye Kiti-Kiti, Goodbye Dengue."
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