In response to the surge in dengue cases, the Department of Health (DOH) Western Visayas Center for Health and Development (CHD), under the leadership of Dr. Adriano Suba-an, has activated dedicated “dengue fast lanes” in hospitals and rural health centers.
This initiative aims to prioritize the management of the increasing volume of dengue patients, ensuring they receive timely and adequate medical care to reduce fatalities.
Suba-an emphasized the critical role of these priority lanes in facilitating patient admissions and providing necessary treatment promptly.
“The dengue fast lanes are essential in managing the patient influx effectively, ensuring that those afflicted with dengue receive the medical attention they need to prevent deaths from this disease,” he stated.
While government hospitals offer free treatment for dengue, the rising number of cases has led to an increased demand for services, making the fast lanes a crucial component in the fight against the outbreak.
The DOH has advised patients on the importance of rehydration upon arriving at hospitals, as it is vital in managing dengue symptoms.
Suba-an also urged local government units (LGUs) to prepare hydration areas within rural health units or near health facilities to prevent overcrowding in hospitals.
“Establishing hydration points is a proactive measure to ensure patients receive immediate care and reduce the burden on hospitals,” he explained.
In areas with high incidence of dengue, the DOH Western Visayas is dispatching medical health experts to conduct investigations and disseminate information to residents on how to handle dengue symptoms. This rapid response is part of a broader strategy to curb the spread of the disease.
With the onset of the rainy season, Suba-an has called on the public to adhere to the 4S strategy: Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, take Self-protection measures (like wearing long sleeves and using insect repellent), Seek early treatment for symptoms, and Say yes to fogging in outbreak situations.
This comprehensive approach aims to prevent a further increase in dengue cases across the region.
According to the latest DOH data, 360 new dengue cases were recorded within the week of June 16 to June 22, with one fatality reported from Antique.
This brings the total number of dengue cases in Western Visayas to 4,030 as of June 22, highlighting the urgent need for continued vigilance and preventive measures.
Meanwhile, the DOH Western Visayas CHD also announced recently that 75 percent or 3,038 out of 4,052 barangays in the region achieved Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) status, which is crucial in maintaining public health and sanitation efforts.
Suba-an highlighted this accomplishment during a recent episode of “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas,” emphasizing the critical role of local government units (LGUs) in reaching this goal.
“The collaboration with LGUs has been instrumental in controlling the spread of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (worm infection) and other infectious diseases,” Suba-an said.
The ZOD initiative is a key component of the DOH’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program, which is the fourth priority in the department’s public health agenda.
Suba-an also reported that 95.32 percent of the population in Western Visayas now has access to clean water, and 53.98 percent have access to safe drinking water.
This reflects the region’s ongoing commitment to improving public health and sanitation standards.