DOH 11 launches ‘Ligtas Tigdas’

Department of Health (DOH 11) on Wednesday launched its “Ligtas Tigdas” project, a door-to-door Supplemental Immunization Activity (SIA) in the region, in Compostela Valley.

Yasmin M. Avila, DOH 11 Health education and promotion officer, said the department has launched the Ligtas Tigdas with the local government units (LGUs) in Mabini, Compostela Valley province.

Avila said the activity was launched in a bid to curb the high incidence of measles among unvaccinated children in the region.

She added that to counter the continuing reported cases of measles, infants and children six months to 59 months old will be given measles containing vaccine regardless of the immunization status.

Avila said a child must receive two doses of measles containing vaccine.

“In cities and municipalities that had already conducted Outbreak Response Immunization (ORI), the health personnel will conduct a mop-up operation to account and ensure that children six to 59 months are given vaccines,” Avila said.

Avila said those children who were not covered during the ORI will be included in the SIA.

In a data of the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (Resu) of DOH 11 as of May 8 this year, the Resu has noted 1,289 suspected measles cases since November 2017, of which 143 are laboratory confirmed cases.

Davao City had 797 measles cases followed by Davao del Norte with 234, Compostela Valley 130, Davao Oriental 71, Davao del Sur 34 and Davao Occidental 23.

Ligtas Tigdas is a project/campaign of the government that aims to reach the parents, caregivers, and/ or guardians of children concerned to recognize the life-saving benefits of measles vaccine.