DOH to relaunch “4 o’clock habit”

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) will relaunch the “four o’clock habit” on June 15 in celebration of the ASEAN Dengue Day.

The said activity was organized by DOH, in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Sanofi Pasteur, the largest company in the world devoted entirely to human vaccines.

More than 3,000 participants from different sectors of the society are expected to participate in the event.

According to Noriel Venerable, business manager of Sanofi Pasteur Philippines, dengue remains a serious threat to public health, with the Asia Pacific Region bearing 75% of the current global disease burden.

He added that the ASEAN countries have the highest number of dengue infections with significant impact on the socio-economic status of its member states. June 15 was declared as the ASEAN Dengue Day during the 10th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting in July 2010.

Venerable said that the declaration was aimed to enhance regional collaboration on dengue and the shared responsibility of dengue control. At the same time, to continue the shift from response-driven activities to forward planning and long-term prevention strategies and focus attention on the need for new strategies to combat the disease.

He said that DOH leads the initiatives in controlling and preventing the incidence of dengue but despite the efforts and persistence of different stakeholders, dengue cases continue to rise.

“In order to effectively curb the increase of dengue cases, community involvement is necessary. People must realize the importance of their active participation and cooperation in searching and destroying the possible breeding places of the mosquitoes,” Venerable said.

With the situation, barangay officials, being the closest group to reach the households, are seen to be the most effective means to encourage people to act against dengue.

He said that the reason why the DOH is relaunching the 4-o’clock habit is to motivate and encourage the community to help in the initiative.

Prior to the big day, there will be an Asian Vaccine Congress on June 14, which will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel from 12 noon to 2:00 pm. Resource speakers from different ASEAN organizations  were invited.

The ASEAN Dengue Day on June 15 will be held at the Plaza Sugbu from 8 am to 6pm.

All Center for Health Development (CHD) directors and barangay captains will have a meeting and orientation at the Sarrosa Hotel, which will be simultaneous with the activity at the Plaza Sugbu.

DOH Secretary Enrique Ona will lead the motorcade from Sarrosa to Plaza Sugbu.— /FPL (FREEMAN)