Palawan to host confab on dengue

The Department of Health ( DOH) has chosen Palawan to host the 8th ASEAN Dengue Day on June 15. The celebration aims to press the public and private sectors to join the fight against the dengue mosquitoborne tropical disease. The event, to be led by health secretary Francisco Duque, is expecting around 500 delegates from various regions. “We will celebrate eight years of the ASEAN ( Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Dengue Day. Every year, the DOH brings the celebration to different regions in the Philippines, and for 2018, Palawan was chosen, particularly Puerto Princesa,” said on April 26 by Romalyn Racho, health education and promotion officer of the DOH MIMAROPA. The theme is “Kung Walang Dengue, Walang Lamok.” Dengue is among the fastest emerging tropical infectious disease in the world, and the Asia Pacific region accounts for around 75 percent of cases globally, according to the ASEAN. It estimates that there are between 50 to 100 million dengue infections worldwide every year. “Palawan was chosen to host this year’s celebration because it still tops the list this year with the most number of dengue cases in Mimaropa,” Racho said. She added the country takes the dengue problem seriously, saying Palaweños should always remain vigilant in contending the disease even if cases decline. June 15 has been declared ASEAN Dengue Day during the 10th ASEAN Health Ministers’ Meeting held in Singapore in 2010. It is geared towards increasing awareness on dengue and mobilizing resources for prevention and control. Racho said they continue to encourage prevention through the promotion of the 4pm habit in communities following the 4S: search and destroy mosquito breeding places, self- protection measures use, seek early consultation for fevers lasting over two days, and saying yes to fogging when there is an outbreak. As part of the event, a scientific forum has been set on June 14 where updates will be given about dengue. There will also be a float parade and street dancing competition that can be joined by the barangays in the city, postermaking competition, and documentary film contest for students of colleges and universities with prizes. The prize for the float parade and street dancing challenge that should be relevant to the theme is P50,000 for 1st prize, P30,000 for the 2nd prize and P20,000 for 3rd place. A consolation prize of P10,000 will also be given. The contest is open to all barangays, but event organizers will only accept 10 entries on a first- come, firstserve basis. For the documentary film competition, the prizes are P35,000 for the 1st place, P25,000 for 2nd place, P20,000 for 3rd place, and a P15,000 consolation prize. Entries should be minimum of 10 minutes and maximum of 15 minutes.