By Mario Casayuran
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Saturday asked Filipinos to take more caution in preventing dengue in their houses and communities as the country has just started experiencing its rainy season for this year.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go (MANILA BULLETIN)
“Nananawagan po tayo sa ating mga kababayan na magtulungan tayong sugpuin ang mga sanhi ng dengue,” Go said. (I am asking our countrymen to take concern on the breeding ground of mosquitos to prevent dengue outbreak.)
Go cited a statement issued last month by the World Health Organization(WHO) calling on Southeast Asian countries to prevent illness and deaths caused by dengue especially during this rainy season.
A major public health concern, dengue is a mosquito-borne disease that can quickly spread to certain areas especially those with available standing water inside containers. These areas are the likely breeding ground of mosquitoes.
Go also encouraged the public that once dengue symptoms manifest, they need to have themselves immediately checked by a doctor.
The neophyte senator emphasized that there was enough medicine and budget from the Department of Health (DOH) to deal with dengue patients, and that it was the duty of the government to look after the welfare of the people.
As a senator, Go said he was bound to push for measures that would improve medical and healthcare services in the government.
He filed Senate Bill 199 on July 2 that aims to institutionalize Malasakit Centers in Department of Health (DOH) offices, local government units (LGUs), the Department of National Defense (DND) and Special Care Unit hospitals in the entire country.
Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where Filipinos can ask for medical financial assistance to all government agencies concerned through one form and in one building.