Bacolod SP wants campaign vs measles strengthened

BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod is requesting Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez through the City Health Office to launched an intensified campaign and measures to prevent the outbreak of measles in Bacolod City.

The resolution authored by Councilor Claudio Puentevella said the Philippines has seen a 154 percent increase in measles cases in 2022. Health officials have reported 373 cases throughout September 10 compared to 147 cases reported in the same period in 2021.

Last October 1, the Department of Health through the DOH Epidemiology Bureau announced that all regions in the Philippines are at “high risk” for measles outbreak due to low vaccine coverage and detection of measles, it said.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It is transferred from person-to-person by sneezing, coughing, and close personal contact, the resolution said.

There is a need to launch program and measures to prevent the spread of measles in Bacolod City and to educate people in its prevention and treatment, it added.

The SP also approved a resolution requesting Benitez through the CHO to lead the observance of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November in the City of Bacolod.

The resolution also authored by Puentevella said that according to Global Cancer Statistics 2020, lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, affecting 2.2 million people in 2020. Furthermore, lung cancer is the second leading cancer site and leading cause of mortality among all types of cancer in the Philippines.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact and risk of lung cancer and to educate the public about lung cancer prevention and early detection tests to avoid future complications, it said.

The resolution encourages the CHO to lead the awareness campaign and support relevant activities in celebration of Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November, it added.*