Rising dengue cases alarm IPHO-Maguindanao

SHARIFF AGUAK,
Maguindanao -– Health authorities in Maguindanao have expressed alarm
over the rising dengue cases in the province, which to date, have recorded six
deaths due what they described as preventable disease.

Dr. Tahir
Sulaik, Maguindanao health chief and head of the Integrated Provincial health
Office (IPHO), said from January to first week of August, 428 dengue cases have
been reported, about six percent higher as compared to the same period last
year.

To prevent an
outbreak of the disease, Sulaik has urged provincial and municipal local
government units to help in the campaign against dengue eradication.

This is very
preventable disease,” he said.

Sulaik said he
was saddened of reports from field health providers that about 90 percent of
the dengue patients now confined in various hospitals in the province and in
Cotabato City are already in critical stage when they sought medical attention.

This very
alarming, in as much as 6 percent higher than the previous year record, so
nakita ko na kilangangang pag-ibayuhin ang ating information dissemination,
education activity on the 4’s and that patients should seek early treatment, so
kung may mataas na fever for two days na deretso na kaagad sa ospital,” Sulaik
said.

Maguindanao, a
component province of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has 36
municipalities. (Ferdinandh Cabrera)