CHO Marawi, partners drum up efforts vs dengue

The Marawi City government, through its City Health Office, kicked off an intensified Dengue Awareness Month campaign, urging all stakeholders to join in collective efforts to stamp out dengue. City Health Officer Dr. Ali Dalidig said their goal is to raise awareness, educate the public, and promote proactive measures against dengue. (Photo by DCC/PIA-10)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) -- The City Health Office (CHO) here, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro region, the Integrated Provincial Health Office, and the City Schools Division of Marawi (CSDM), launched a comprehensive awareness campaign aimed at educating the public and encouraging proactive measures to prevent the spread of dengue.

City Health Officer Dr. Ali Dalidig outlined a series of initiatives scheduled throughout June under the theme "Stop the Spread of Dengue, Mag 5S Tayo!" to empower individuals and communities in the city to take effective preventive measures.

"We will engage in various activities, such as educational campaigns, community clean-up, and information dissemination efforts. These activities aim to foster a culture of vigilance and collective responsibility in keeping our environment clean and safe from dengue," he stated during the campaign's kickoff at the City Hall Open Gymnasium on May 30.

One of the key focuses of the awareness campaign is educating school children, as health experts note that a significant portion of dengue cases in Lanao del Sur are among children aged one to nine years old.

"Educating our young minds is essential as they play a key role in disseminating information and practicing preventive measures within their families and communities," Dalidig further emphasized.

The Marawi City government, through its City Health Office, kicked off an intensified Dengue Awareness Month campaign, urging all stakeholders to join in collective efforts to stamp out dengue. City Health Officer Dr. Ali Dalidig said their goal is to raise awareness, educate the public, and promote proactive measures against dengue. (Photo by DCC/PIA-10)

City Schools Division Superintendent Anna Zenaida Unte underscored the vulnerability of learners to dengue and expressed gratitude for the partnership between CSDM and CHO in ensuring the health of Bangsamoro learners.

She also highlighted the importance of Brigada Eskwela, a collective effort involving various sectors to prepare schools for the new academic year, emphasizing cleanliness and proper sanitation as integral components.

In the kickoff, CHO stressed the importance of the 5S strategy in combating dengue: Search and destroy by eliminating mosquito-breeding sites, Self-protection by employing personal protective measures such as using mosquito repellent and wearing long-sleeved clothing, Saying yes to indiscriminate fogging by supporting community-wide fogging initiatives to control mosquito populations, Seeking early consultation if dengue symptoms arise, and Staying hydrated to support overall health and immune function.

"By eliminating stagnant water, maintaining clean surroundings, and staying informed about dengue symptoms and prevention, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones," Dalidig added. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)