GENERAL SANTOS CITY–Sarangani’s data-driven strategy to combat the deadly mosquito-borne disease has gained ground as cases in the province have dropped by about 77 percent this year.
Federico Yadao, health education promotions officer of Sarangani’s Sulong Kalusugan program, said Tuesday they only recorded a total of 184 dengue cases since January in the province’s seven municipalities.
Yadao said the figure, based on the Provincial Health Office’s (PHO) monitoring as of May 13 or Week 19, was significantly lower than the 788 cases during the same period last year.
PHO’s epidemiology and surveillance unit has not reported any death this year due to dengue infection, he said.
“This is the result of the strong support from local communities, schools, residents and local officials to our campaigns against dengue,” Yadao said.
He specifically cited the conduct of regular cleanup activities and fogging operations in local schools and communities.
The official said these preventive measures became more effective with the implementation of the data-based approach by the PHO, headed by Dr. Arvin Alejandro.
Yadao said the strategy has complemented the activation of epidemiology and surveillance units in all municipalities, as well as the reporting of weekly cases from the municipal health offices and hospitals to the PHO.
Yadao said the speedy reporting enabled the local government and the Department of Health to immediately respond to early cases of dengue.
Citing the PHO’s records, dengue cases were prevalent among those aged 11 to 20 years-old, prompting local health officials to focus the campaigns in elementary and high schools as well as colleges.
He said they are targeting to complete the spraying activities in local schools before the start of the Brigada Eskwela on Monday next week.
Through the Sulong Kaligtasan program of Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon, he said the local government acquired and distributed vector control equipment to the seven municipalities.
These comprise four back pack sprays each with chemicals costing P4,000 per unit, fogging machines worth P80,000 and ultra-low volume sprayers worth P70,000 that are considered effective for up to six months, he said.
Yadao added the DOH also distributed insecticide-treated curtains worth P8,000 each to local schools. (PNA)
