Go calls for action to prevent dengue this rainy season, highlights better healthcare access for affected Filipinos

The country has just started experiencing its rainy season for this year and Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go is asking the Filipinos to be cautious in preventing dengue in their houses and community.

"Nananawagan po tayo sa ating mga kababayan na magtulungan tayong sugpuin ang mga sanhi ng dengue," Go said.

Just last month, the World Health Organization has issued a statement calling 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, and Go asks the public to take concern on these breeding grounds to prevent such outbreak.

"Maging maingat tayo. Iwasan nating mag-iwan ng mga ipong tubig na hindi natatakpan at sirain ang mga breeding grounds ng mga lamok." Go said. "Magsuot din ng mga protective clothes, fogging at insect repellant."

Go also encouraged the public that once dengue symptoms are arising, they need to have it checked by the doctor. The newly-elected senator emphasized that there is enough medicine and budget from the Department of Health (DOH) and that it is the duty of the government to look after the welfare of the people especially in these issues.

"Sapat ang mga gamot ng DOH at mandato ng pamahalaan na alagaan ang inyong kalusugan. Sa Western Visayas, for example, na isa sa may mataas na bilang ng dengue cases, sa ngayon, from DOH, meron ng total na P193.34 M Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP), 228 health personnel deployed under the Human Resources for Health (HRH) program, (16 medical doctors, 24 medical technologists and 189 nurses), P23.682 M logistical support plus emergency purchase for logistics amounting to P4 M," Go explained.

He further said that as a senator, he is bound to push for measures that would improve medical and healthcare services in the government. Recently, the senator filed Senate Bill No. 199 on July 2 that aims to institutionalize Malasakit Centers in DOH, LGU, Department of National Defense 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.

"Prayoridad natin ang mga mahihirap ng mga komunidad. Target natin dito na maibaba, and if not ma-eliminate ang mga out-pocket expenses ng mga indigent at poor patients natin," Go said. To date, there are 37 Malasakit Centers in the country.

Although DOH has cleared that there is no dengue epidemic in the country, Philippines still has thousands of suspected cases nationwide. In the first 20 weeks of 2019, a total of 77040 suspected cases of dengue have been reported with 328 deaths. Although numbers are high, cases are already starting to decline.

"The national dengue alert issued by DOH last Monday was to increase awareness among our people," Go said. "Still, we must remain safe and vigilant."