With an alarming surge in dengue cases across Davao Oriental, the Provincial Health Board is urging residents, especially children, to seek immediate treatment for suspected cases. The board’s call for swift action came during its 4th Regular meeting.
Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan of Mati City Health Office emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, saying, “if a child has had a fever for just two days, they should seek a medical check-up right away.”
During the meeting, the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center (DOPMC) presented a concerning report showing that the recent dengue cases have reached a staggering 1,897 throughout the province.
Mati City tops the list with 914 cases, followed by Governor Generoso with 255 cases, Caraga with 160 cases, Lupon with 154 cases, and Banaybanay with 103 cases, making them the top areas in the province with the most number of cases.
To combat the escalating concern, DOPMC outlined several crucial recommendations. These include implementing regular search and destroy activities with community involvement, organizing a dengue brigade to mobilize residents in affected barangays for clean-up campaigns, and conducting indoor and outdoor spraying. DOPMC also emphasized the proper segregation and management of waste to improve environmental sanitation within communities.
DOPMC Chief Dr. Reden V. Bersaldo revealed that a fast lane had been activated to cater to dengue patients. He also called upon the local chief executives of each town in Davao Oriental to strengthen the roles of Barangay Health Workers (BHW), who play a significant part in the fight against various health concerns in their local communities, including dengue.
He also pleaded to them to capitalize on these individuals and, as much as possible, to retain the services of the same health workers even when there is a change in barangay administration.
Governor Niño Sotero L. Uy, Jr. acknowledged the alarming rise in dengue cases and encouraged an intensified information drive campaign to raise awareness about dengue’s severity and how to respond if one comes into contact with the disease. He stressed the importance of minimizing the dangers associated with dengue and urged the board to employ a proactive approach to addressing the issue.
Despite the rising dengue cases, Davao Oriental remains the second-lowest in the region in terms of reported cases compared to its neighboring provinces.
Aside from dengue, the Provincial Health Board also reported a significant increase in cases of measles and influenza, underscoring the urgent need for a comprehensive and concerted effort to address these health concerns. The Provincial Government, in coordination with the province’s health authorities, is actively working to mitigate the impact of these diseases and protect the well-being of Davao Oriental residents. 𝗕𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀 𝗝𝗮𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗻 | 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝗕 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻
