CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The Provincial Health Office (PHO) head yesterday urged various public schools and local government officials to observe 4 o’clock habit to prevent cases of dengue in the province from rising.

Dr. Marcelo Jaochico, PHO chief said that the intiative is primarily focused on “searching and destroying” mosquitoes  breeding places inside the school premises and in different barangays.

He added that the same would further increase awareness among the students, residents on dengue disease and how it can be avoided. 

Jaochico also asked the local chief executives in various municipalities to conduct dengue health summit to bolster the campaign against dengue this rainy season.

With this, the provincial government committed to provide technical assistance.

He stated that with the help of the Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health Development 3 (CHD 3), they will be giving insecticide which can be used to keep the school campuses safe from dengue virus  transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.

The provincial health officer noted that from January to June this year, some 595 dengue cases had been recorded  which far better from the records in 2013 of the same period reaching 1,1141 cases. 

Jaochico also claimed that the campaign against dengue has been made effective as reflected in the case fatality rate involving of only one resident in Mabalacat City. 

It can be recalled that the provincial government through Governor Lilia Pineda assumed obligation on  the medical expenses in all district hospitals of dengue patients in Pampanga last year.

Pineda also previously ordered the purchased dengue test kits to immediately identify individuals who were inflicted with dengue virus.