Red Cross backs DOH campaign vs dengue

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is supporting the Department of Health (DOH) in its campaign against the spread of the mosquito-borne disease dengue.

PRC chairman and Sen. Richard Gordon said he ordered the immediate deployment of emergency medical tents in Iloilo, where hospitals are overflowing with dengue patients.

“PRC’s medical tents will help decongest the overloaded wards and provide comfort to patients and their families. Similar to how we addressed the measles crisis earlier this year, we will continue to work with the DOH to identify and address the needs in the most affected communities,” Gordon said.

Last week, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III declared a nationwide dengue alert due to the rapid increase of dengue cases in several regions.  

It was the first time that such declaration was issued because of the mosquito-borne disease.

Among the regions where the alert status was raised are Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Western and Central Visayas, and Northern Mindanao.

Regions being monitored for dengue outbreaks are the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Bicol, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Davao, Eastern Visayas, Ilocos, the Cordilleras and Zamboanga peninsula.

This prompted Duque to seek Gordon’s support for the government’s efforts to address the rising health concern, especially in Western Visayas.

Gordon said four sets of emergency medical tents were dispatched from the PRC warehouse in Subic.  

The tents arrived in Iloilo on board a ferry, while another four sets came by military plane.

The agency is ready to deploy more tents in Western Visayas if the need arises. It gave assurance that ambulances and welfare desks are ready to assist patients.

Aside from medical tents, Gordon ensured the availability of blood supply for dengue patients in its blood centers in Iloilo and nearby blood service facilities.  

The Red Cross also tapped its community health volunteers to intensify the information dissemination drive.

It encouraged Filipino families to observe the 4S of dengue prevention, which are search and destroy, self-protect, seek early consultation and say yes to fogging.

“Dengue destruction should be done before it starts. Let’s observe proper personal hygiene and keep our surroundings clean to steer away from these diseases,” Gordon said.

Meanwhile, a group promoting zero waste reminded local government authorities and the public to ensure that pieces of trash that can hold water are properly disposed of. – With Rhodina Villanueva