Marcos asks local gov’ts to lead public health info drive
Alarmed over the threat of monkeypox (mpox) and a surge in leptospirosis and dengue cases in the country, President Marcos on Friday urged local governments to employ “environmentally sound” smart solutions to protect public health and the environment.
In a speech at the two-day Local Governance Summit 2024 in Pasay City, the President reminded local officials to be “accountable, reliable and efficient” in delivering basic services and to remain worthy of the people’s trust.
“It is incumbent upon us to promote these smart solutions, such as innovative technologies and strategies, so we can maximize its advantages, especially in the face of challenges that threaten the overall well-being of our constituents,” Mr. Marcos said.
He urged all local executives “to lead aggressive information dissemination campaign to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent diseases, such as a campaign to remind our people, especially children, against swimming in flood waters and to practice proper personal hygiene to mitigate the spread of leptospirosis, mpox, and any other illnesses.”
He cited the surge in leptospirosis and dengue cases in the country, which the Department of Health (DOH) blamed on improper garbage disposal and poor waste management.
Mr. Marcos said the country’s problem with solid-waste management is also a “major factor” in the floods in Metro Manila during the wrath of Supertyphoon “Carina” and the southwest monsoon in July.
On Monday, the DOH said a 33-year-old male patient from Metro Manila is the first mpox infection for this year and the 10th confirmed case in the country since July 2022.
Also on Friday, Barangay Health Workers Rep. Angelica Co called for a systematic inspection of all the spas in Metro Manila following the discovery by Quezon City authorities that the spa visited by mpox Patient No. 10 does not have valid permits and clearances.
The said patient, from the National Capital Region, supposedly had “no travel history outside of the country, but [had] close, intimate contact [with other people] three weeks before symptom onset,” according to Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.
Herbosa earlier said the detected mpox case involved a mild variant that had an almost 100 percent recovery rate, unlike the variant spreading in Africa. He also stressed that mpox is transmitted through close contact, unlike the airborne transmittal of COVID-19.
