MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--While nations worldwide combat against the global health crisis brought by the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Alinader Minalang, chief of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO)-Lanao del Sur bared that the province is also encountering an infodemic with the spread of misinformation and fake news about today's pandemic.
"What we are facing now, aside from the pandemic, is the issue of misinformation. This misinformation is more infectious and spreads faster than the pandemic. With one click of your cellphone, you spread this fake news and misinformation about COVID-19. That is why we are also facing the infodemic," he said in his COVID-19 report during the DXSO's 58th anniversary celebration Friday, October 1.
Minalang said that while the world tallies more deaths due to the COVID-19, it is unfortunate on their part that a lot of people still do not believe that the virus is real despite its presence for over two years already as they believe that this is just a product of conspiracy, fabrication, and insinuations, and made by those who want to get benefits from it while others have the inclination to listen and take what they see on social media which are not supported by scientific studies, thus, making the situation more complicated.
He further conveyed that they are more saddened by the thought that some highly educated citizens in the province are still found debating with the health department, posing that the COVID-19 is something that must be set aside and treated as an ordinary disease.
With this, Minalang urged the public to listen to those who are knowledgeable and experts on the subject matter.
"It is very important that people should look at the information closely and see if it is really valid and genuine, and make the choice of believing the information than just getting it from any source," he said.
The IPHO chief also hoped that as they go along and expand the coverage of information dissemination with the help of media outlets, the province of Lanao del Sur will overcome the challenge of the information crisis that it is facing.
As of October, the IPHO recorded a total of 4,757 confirmed cases of which 334 are active cases. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)
No comments