Blood donation drive stepped up
Roxas City -- Health officials in Capiz are intensifying their campaign on blood donation.
The effort is part of the preparation measures in response to the continuing rise of dengue cases in the province.
Provincial Sanitary Inspector Jane delos Reyes disclosed that while they are stepping up their awareness activities regarding the dreaded dengue fever, they are also conducting campaigns on blood donation.
Said activity is in partnership with the Philippine National Red Cross-Capiz Chapter, in coordination with the local government units, particularly in the barangays, she said.
As of July 6 this year, a total of 46 dengue cases with one death were recorded at the Provincial Health Office, delos Reyes said, pointing out that of said cases, 17 came from Roxas City.
In the municipalities, 9 were recorded in Mambusao, 6 in Dumalag, 4 in Sapian, 3 in Maayon with 1 death, 2 each in Jamindan and Dumarao, and 1 each in Dao, Sigma and Ivisan.
Recently, Dr. Eric Tayag, director of the Department of Health's (DOH) National Epidemiology Center, said that the circulation of the four strains of virus being carried and transmitted by the day-biting mosquito has put the country in a hyper-endemic to dengue fever status.
Tayag explained that being hyper-endemic is a state wherein the number of cases will no longer be reduced to its previous levels.
He announced that from January to June 2 this year alone, there was a 6.8 increase of dengue cases compared to last year's record.
Earlier, Health Secretary Francisco Duque has ordered the re-establishment of Dengue Express Lane in all DOH hospitals nationwide for prompt medical attention of all dengue fever cases.
(PIA/Jemin B. Guillermo)