Vigilance, cooperation pushed vs dengue

AMID rising number of dengue cases in some areas of the country, Sen. Bong Go, who leads the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, is calling for heightened alertness and collaborative actions among community members against the disease.

Most recent data from the Department of Health (DoH) shows that from January to May 2024, the country has reported 67,874 cases of dengue.

Senator Go emphasized the need to bolster preventive strategies and foster community involvement to tackle the dengue epidemic effectively.

«In the face of the rising number of dengue cases, we must double our efforts to be cautious. Being alert and prompt in prevention is a key to protecting our communities,» he said in Filipino.

With a 28 percent increase in cases reported in specific regions, including Quezon Province and parts of Western Visayas, Go highlighted the importance of governmental and community collaboration to remove mosquito breeding sites and promote public health education.

Also, the senator called on the DoH, local government units (LGUs), the private sector, and communities to collaborate closely and rigorously implement the enhanced 4S strategy against dengue.

The strategies include «Search and Destroy» mosquito breeding places, «Secure Self Protection» from mosquito bites, «Seek Early Consultation» when signs and symptoms of dengue occur, and «Say Yes to Fogging.»

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Go also advocates for local government units to intensify their monitoring and cleanup efforts, particularly in high-risk areas.

Aware of the asymptomatic nature of many dengue cases, the senator also emphasized the need for heightened awareness and early detection.

Meanwhile, Go reiterated his commitment to support the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide.

Super Health Centers are designed to focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection, further strengthening the health care sector in the country, especially in grassroots communities.

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Through the efforts of Go as vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, the DoH, LGUs, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for around 700 Super Health Centers nationwide.

The senator also