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| Dr. Princess Elham Sacar, head of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Health Office, called for strengthening the role of sanitary inspectors at both the barangay and municipal levels to monitor environments and proactively identify potential health hazards. (Photo: ZRD/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur) |
MARAWI CITY (PIA) –- The Lanao del Sur Provincial Health Office (PHO) is taking proactive measures to address health concerns as La Niña looms.
“We know that diarrheal diseases such as cholera, pwede magkaroon iyan ng outbreak, and vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria. Iyong Malaria hindi iyan masyado sa atin because the mosquito hindi naman masyado nakikita sa atin. But the dengue, hindi na iyan mawala-wala sa top list natin sa hospitals. So ‘yun iyong mga i-watch out natin. And then, of course iyong leptospirosis huwag din nating kakalimutan because of the flooding,” said PHO Head Dr. Princess Elham A. Sacar, during the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) Meeting.
(We know that diarrheal diseases such as cholera can lead to outbreaks, as well as vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria. We don’t frequently encounter the malaria mosquito here, so it’s not a major concern. However, dengue consistently ranks at the top of our hospital cases. These are the diseases we need to watch out for. Additionally, we must not forget about leptospirosis due to the flooding.)
Sacar explained that contaminated water and unsanitary environments are the breeding grounds for these diseases. Dengue mosquitoes, for instance, can lay up to 100 eggs in stagnant water, posing a significant risk.
To combat these threats, Sacar emphasized the importance of proper sanitation and water hygiene during La Niña. She called for strengthening the role of sanitary inspectors at both the barangay and municipal levels to monitor environments and proactively identify potential health hazards.
She also emphasized that Rural Health Units (RHUs) should educate and inform community members about dengue and diarrheal diseases such as cholera, and leptospirosis for early detection, management, and treatment.
“Kailangan reading-ready iyong mga RHUs natin when it comes to adequate supply of medicines at saka kung papaano i-manage iyong mga diseases na mag-iincrease during this La Niña,” she said.
(Our RHUs need to be well-equipped with an adequate supply of medicines and the capability to manage the expected rise in disease during this La Niña.)
She said RHUs should have antibiotics like doxycycline for leptospirosis and bacterial infections, as well as antiparasitics for parasite-borne illnesses. (EZMM/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
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