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| Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO)-Lanao del Sur Chief Dr. Alinader Minalang states that they are combatting the spike in dengue cases this year by adopting and implementing precautionary measures. (Jason Casas/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur) |
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--As the cases of dengue in the province of Lanao del Sur has been escalating compared to the prior year, the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is now on its move of implementing necessary measures to fight and impede any worsening of the scenario.
“Ang dengue [cases] ay tumataas ngayon so kailangan mas maging maingat tayo at mapagbantay tayo sa ating mga pamilya. Gawin natin ang mga nararapat upang maiwasan natin ang mabiktima o tamaan ng sakit na ito… We do it in a more sustained basis. Ang ginagawa natin ay hindi tayo tumitigil hanggang mareach natin lahat at makita natin na talagang bumababa na ang cases ng dengue,” said IPHO Chief Dr. Alinader Minalang.
[The dengue [cases] are increasing at the moment so we need to be more careful and observant with our family. Let us do what is needed to prevent us from being victimized or hit by this illness… We do it on a more sustained basis. What we are doing here is we do not stop until we reach and everyone sees that the cases of dengue drop.]
Minalang detailed that among the steps they are currently taking is the 4S strategy which stands for search and destroy, self-protective measures, seeking early consultation, and spraying.
He explained that places, where Aedes aegypti or dengue virus-carrier mosquitoes lay their eggs must be sought and destroyed as this becomes the source of infection while applying mosquito repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants, are strongly urged to minimize the exposure of the skin and area where mosquitoes can bite, thereby protecting oneself.
Minalang added that when having a fever, a person must seek an early diagnosis for a confirmatory test to be conducted, and when one is diagnosed to have dengue, spraying in the area of the sufferer must be done.
Such steps accordingly correlate to the four o’clock habit which signifies the need to stop and drop all tasks supposedly carried out at the said time, and center the focus on mosquito control.
Minalang stated that the IPHO has already organized its dengue brigade at the provincial and municipal level alongside the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (ABKD) to lead the information dissemination about dengue, cleanliness drive, the fogging or spraying in barangays and other locations with high cases of infection, and other precautionary actions to control the spike of cases.
He further said that they have also established a referral system wherein health centers in every municipality and barangay can easily refer confirmed cases to higher-level facilities such as a district hospital or a medical center where appropriate specialists can properly respond and give treatment.
Noting all the measures cited to combat the climbing dengue cases, the IPHO called for unity among all sectors as he believed that everyone has his or her contribution to give remedy to the situation.
“Kailangan natin magtulong-tulong. Kailangan natin pagkakaisa. Kailangan natin na matiyaga tayo na magbantay and I am sure na maaaddress natin itong dengue cases na tumataas dito sa ating province of Lanao del Sur,” said Minalang.
[We need to work together. We need to have oneness. We need to persevere in being keen and I am sure we can address these dengue cases which increase in our province of Lanao del Sur.]
As of press time, the IPHO has already recorded 358 cases and nine deaths. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
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