The Department of Health (DOH) recently declared an all-out
war against measles and has embarked on another door-to-door
immunization campaign to contain this extremely communicable,
yet preventable, disease. This massive effort targets
the protection of 18.3 million children age 9 months to
8 years old across the country. Since
its launch in 1998, there has been a drastic reduction
in measles cases in the country. DOH reports show that
there were more than 50,000 measles cases in the 1990’s,
a considerable drop from the average 80,000 cases recorded
during the 80’s. The number went down further
to 24, 494 cases in 2001.
Pfizer
is supporting the DOH in the Ligtas-Tigdas Campaign
by providing doctors and other health workers with information
materials and logistical requirements that will help
health workers reach all the children in selected areas.
Men and women of Pfizer’s field force have volunteered
to help bring the needed vaccines to 20 sites of the
Leaders for Health Project, an ongoing program of Pfizer
with the DOH and the Ateneo Graduate School of Business
to develop a corps of trained and committed health leaders
in medically-underserved communities. These sites are
located in 5th and 6th class municipalities in Western
Samar, Biliran, Camarines Sur and Surigao del Norte.
“Vaccines
are among the most cost-effective public health tools
available for preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
Thus, we at Pfizer are happy to be doing our share in
preventing millions of children from contracting the
disease and easing the fears of their families all over
the country,” Karen Villanueva, Pfizer Corporate
affairs Director, said.
Measles
is a highly contagious, infectious disease, which is
manifested by blotchy rashes lasting 3 or more days.
Early symptoms include coughing, runny nose and red
eyes.
DOH
said that treatment of over 2 million measles cases
would cost P5.11 billion in contrast to a preventive
program costing only P4.67 billion. For as low as P384
worth of treatment, a child can be protected against
the disease.
To
help create awareness on the campaign, DOH will implement
various activities including tri-media events, parades,
motorcades and nationwide press conferences. In addition,
it will organize the program in all levels of government,
and work with community partners urging mothers and
caregivers to submit their children for immunization.
DOH believes that enhancing and increasing community
involvement will be a crucial part of reaching the goal
of raising immunization levels.
The
campaign will seek the help not only of health professionals,
but also of other government agencies such as the Departments
of Interior and Local Government and Social Welfare,
all local government units, as well as donor companies
like Pfizer to extend support and make the campaign
a unique synergetic effort.
 |
President and Country manager Gerry Bacarro leads
the turnover of materials to DOH in support of the
Ligtas Tigdas campaign. Joining him are: (L-R) Angelina
Sebial, DOH Director for Health Program Promotion
Division; DOH Secretary Manuel Dayrit, Dr. Tony
Leachon, Director for Medical and Regulatory Affairs;
and Karen Villanueva, Corporate Affairs Director.
|
|
