In a bid to intensify the city’s anti-dengue campaign, the City Health Office (CHO) on Thursday celebrated June as National Dengue Awareness Month with an activity at the NCCC Mall Buhangin.
Over 300 participants from the 34 barangays took part in the activity. The participants are members of their barangay’s Mosquito-Borne Diseases Task Force (MBDTF)
Other stakeholders from local and national health and research institutions also participated in the activity.
“Usa kani siya ka panagtigom kung diin mapakita nato ang partnership gikan sa public, private ug even ang atoang academe, kay naa gyud sila karon diri,” said Dr. Margie Roa Rubio, CHO Assistant Health Officer for Operations.
Rubio added that the fight against dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases must always be anchored on community effort and ensuring cleanliness in the surroundings.
During the program, researchers from two academic institutions presented their studies that are relevant to the mosquito-borne diseases situation in the city.
Barangay Buhangin Proper’s Task Force, as one of the best performing MBDTFs in the city, also gave a presentation of their good practices and accomplishments.
Rubio said the establishment of the task force in each barangay is crucial in preventing another dengue outbreak in the city.
Marites Jandug, a purok leader in Barangay Buhangin Proper said she and her fellow MBDTF members have learned a lot from the number of seminars and lectures given by the CHO under its anti-dengue campaign. She said the MBDTF also do their best to engage their community in their activities.
“Ang pakiusap namin sa mga residents namin doon ay kung pwede i-maintain natin ang cleanliness. Once in a while, nagkakaroon kami ng clean up drive,” she added.
The CHO earlier this month reported a 27 percent drop in dengue cases for January to June this year compared to the cases logged for the same months last year. However, the office has again issued a stern reminder to the communities to be more proactive in cleaning out possible mosquito breeding grounds this rainy season.
Thursday’s activity was attended by CHO Head Dr. Tomas Miguel Ababon, DOH representatives, researchers from UP Mindanao’s Pasyente Project, members of the Global Institute for Professional Development and Excellence, barangay functionaries, city councilors and others. CIO
