Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Thursday, June 9 called for greater vigilance against dengue as areas in the Visayas and Mindanao record a sharp rise in the number of cases.
Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, at the same time, urged those who are in need of medical assistance to avail of services at Malasakit Centers.
“We should be prepared to avoid and control possible outbreaks of rainy-day diseases such as dengue fever while we are still dealing with the pandemic by maintaining good hygiene and cleanliness in our homes and surroundings,” Go said in a statement.
The Department of Health (DOH) has reported increased cases of dengue infections particularly in Negros Occidental, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Bacolod City, Aklan and Capiz. Increase in cases have also been reported in the Davao region.
To combat the rising number of dengue cases, the DOH has advised the public to practice the Enhanced 4-S strategy--“Search and Destroy” mosquito breeding places; “Secure Self Protection” from mosquito bite; “Seek Early Consultation” when signs and symptoms of dengue occur, and “Say Yes to Fogging.”
In light of the threat posed by COVID-19, dengue fever and other diseases, Go urged the government to ensure that public hospitals have sufficient bed capacity and capability to accommodate ailing Filipinos.
The senator reminded further that Filipinos may seek financial and medical assistance from the government through any of the 151 Malasakit Centers across the country.
Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program in 2018 after personally witnessing how poor and indigent Filipinos are having a hard time getting the medical attention they need mostly due to the high cost of hospital services.
Later on, he authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 to institutionalize the program.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together all government agencies that offer medical assistance programs, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
“Lapitan niyo lang, mayroon kayong Malasakit Center. Kung mayroon kayong kailangan, lapitan niyo lang ako, ako na ang tutulong sa inyo (Just approach any Malasakit Center. If you need anything, just approach me, I will help you out),” the senator reassured.