As the rainy season persists, Senator Nancy Binay urged the Department of Health (DOH) to strengthen their fight against mosquito-borne dengue.
“Given that dengue is a problem we face every year, it is practical for the government to prepare to handle a possible surge in cases, particularly during the rainy season when the disease is prevalent,” Binay said.
While the DOH has earlier pointed out a decrease in the number of dengue cases in the country, the legislator said that dengue cases are still being reported and should still prompt the government to act fast in protecting the health of its people.
“Sana ngayon pa lang ay nag-iimbentaryo na tayo ng mga gamot, dugo at iba pang mga maaaring kailanganin ng mga kababayan nating maaaring magkaroon ng dengue,” the lawmaker urged.
“Importanteng handa ang ating DOH para sa posibleng pagdami ng kaso ng dengue. Wala pa mang dapat ipangamba sa ngayon, dahil sa tag-ulan na, dapat pa ring simulan na ng ating pamahalaan na iiwas sa panganib ang ating mga kababayan,” the lady senator added.
A recent report by stated that as of July 8, records of the Bacolod City Health Office showed that the city has already documented 535 cases of dengue, including the death of five children. This is 84.5 percent higher than last year’s 290 cases which included the death of two children.
Last month, the DOH noted in its ASEAN Dengue Day statement that the cases of dengue in the country have reached nearly 36,000 in the first five months of this year. The agency said that this was still 31.8 percent lower than the 52,780 cases recorded during the same period last year.
The Epidemiology Bureau of the DOH added that it has recorded 207 dengue deaths from January 1 to May 20.
“We must remember that dengue kills. We cannot be complacent just because the recorded cases of the disease so far this year is lower than last year’s,” Binay stressed.
“Mas mainam pa ring paghandaan natin ang pagbibigay ng tulong ang mga kababayan nating maaaring dapuan ng mga karamdaman, lalo pa at seryosong sakit tulad ng dengue,” she added.