ILOILO CITY — Local government units should strengthen their practice of “4S” to combat the spread of dengue in Iloilo province.
The “4S” stands for Search and destroy mosquito breeding places; use Self-protection measures; Seek early consultation for fever; and Say “yes” to fogging when there is an outbreak.
A resolution was passed during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) last Tuesday, urging the LGUs to practice “4S” to prevent dengue.
The resolution was sponsored by Liecel Seville, chairman of the committee on health and sanitation.
In an interview Friday, Seville recognized that some LGUs are already practising the “4S”.
“But the resolution would really urge them to intensify the campaign against dengue,” she said.
Seville noted that some LGUs tend to forget to implement the “4S” strategy due to the many concerns they have to attend to. “It would be good to remind them,” she said.
She stressed the important role of village officials who are at the forefront of the implementation of programs and advocacies in communities.
According to data from the provincial health office, dengue has already killed four patients in the entire province from January 1 until August 4.
The deaths are part of the 829 dengue cases recorded here during the period, higher than the 505 recorded in the same period of last year.
Seville said that when she served as mayor in the town of New Lucena a few years ago, they were active in implementing the “4S” strategy.
“It is really very helpful in the prevention of dengue,” she said, expressing hope that the rise in the number of dengue cases in the province would drop with the LGUs’ active implementation of “4S”. (Cindy Ferrer/PNA)
