THE BAGUIO City Health Services Office (BCHSO) reported a huge decrease in the incidence of dengue from January to June of 2017.
Dr. Rowena Galpo, Baguio City Health Services Office chief, reported 64 cases of dengue from different barangays were recorded during the period which is an 875.34-percent decrease compared to the 703 cases recorded for the same period last year.
Galpo attributed the huge decrease to the participation and involvement of the different sectors of the community, including the City Government.
The health official said awareness of the community on the prevention of
dengue contributed much, aside from the continuing program being undertaken by health officials to inform the public about the diseases and how to prevent it.
This is aside from the local government’s role in institutionalizing the dengue awareness campaign.
In December 2016, the City Council approved Ordinance 66 or the local anti-dengue act which provides for the prevention and control measures to mitigate dengue, and which requires all residents to strengthen the fight against it.
The ordinance was passed to continually and substantially reduce the occurrence of dengue cases in the city through integrated vector management and implementation of prevention and control measures as well as to strengthen the fight against the disease.
The city ordinance defines the mandatory role of household and business owners, schools and institutions, hospitals, church organizations, private and government offices and other work places.
It also mandates the creation of the Baguio anti-dengue committee, the barangay anti-dengue committee as well as the guidelines and the fines and penalties for violators. (PNA)