DON’T forget other deadly diseases like dengue.
With the onset of the rainy season, Filipinos were reminded by the Senate Health committee chief to remain vigilant against dengue and other diseases, such as diarrhea, leptospirosis and influenza, which have been sidelined by the massive anxiety caused by the Covid-19 health crisis.
“During this time when we are still facing the Covid-19 pandemic, we should also be prepared to prevent and control possible outbreaks of rainy day diseases by practicing proper hygiene, and cleanliness in our homes and in our surroundings. We should know what to do when there is an increase in number of cases in our areas of residence or in the workplace,” Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said on Monday.
“Our hospitals and health facilities should also be prepared to manage potential cases considering the burden already caused by Covid-19 to our health-care system,” Go added.
He echoed the advice of the health department to Filipinos to take advantage of the quarantine protocols to clean their surroundings and prevent the outbreak of other kinds of diseases.
“Clean surroundings are a big factor in our ability to avoid disease. So let’s use this chance to always keep our environs clean and safe,” he said, in a mix of English and Filipino.
The experience with Covid-19, he noted, has “taught us how quickly contagious diseases can spread and impact our daily lives. We can do something to prevent this spread if we work together,” he stressed.
Go cited DOH’s 4S strategy against dengue to bolster awareness and prevention from the mosquito-borne disease. “Suyurin at sirain ang mga pinamumugaran ng lamok; Sarili ay proteksyonan laban sa lamok; Sumangguni agad sa pagamutan kapag may sintomas ng dengue; at Sumuporta sa fogging o spraying kapag may banta na ng outbreak [Search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites; protect oneself from mosquitos; consult a doctor right away if you show symptoms of dengue; support fogging or spraying amid a risk of an outbreak].”
He also reminded the public to adhere to the minimum health standards, such as the practice of physical distancing, use of face masks and handwashing during this time of pandemic.
“At this time, there may again be a sudden increase in the number of cases of rainy day diseases among the young and old alike as a result of the spread of viruses and bacteria in relatively enclosed spaces or crowded areas,” he said.
The Department of Health recently reported that the number of dengue cases in the country from January to May decreased by 46 percent relative to the same period last year.
According to the DOH Health Promotion and Communication Service, the decrease in dengue cases in the country may be attributed to vector management, increased awareness, and community participation.
“It is vital that everyone is informed about the status of our communities with regard to the trends of the incidence of these diseases so that our LGUs should take the necessary actions to avoid the occurrence of other outbreaks that will compound our problems in dealing with the Covid-19 situation,” Go said.
Earlier, he urged the government to ensure that public hospitals have adequate bed capacity and capabilities to accommodate Filipinos who could get sick in this time of pandemic.
Go has sponsored in the Senate the passage of several local hospital bills as part of his push to improve health-care access for all. Among these measures include four local hospital measures; namely bills upgrading the Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City and increasing its bed capacity; increasing the bed capacity of Bicol Medical Center in Naga City; upgrading the Maria L. Eleazar District Hospital in Tagkawayan, Quezon Province; and renaming Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City, Cebu, into Cebu South Medical Center. The bills pertaining to the hospitals in Surigao City, Talisay City and Tagkawayan in Quezon province were recently signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Seven other similar bills being sponsored by Go are pending approval on third reading in the Senate.
Given the lengthy process it takes to upgrade public hospitals, Go has filed Senate Bill 1226, or the proposed DOH Hospital Bed Capacity and Service Capability Rationalization Act, that aims to authorize the DOH to increase the bed capacity and service capability of its retained hospitals and to allow it to promulgate evaluation and approval guidelines.