Health department official urges public to get vaccinated

ALTHOUGH there are no planned activities for the upcoming celebration of World Immunization Week on April 24 to 30, the public is encouraged to get vaccinated to prevent the spread of diseases especially in the Visayas.

Dr. Emmelie Pfleider-Silao, Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) medical officer III, made this call during the AGIO-PIA 7 forum yesterday discussing health issues especially with the onset of the summer season.

She cited some of the diseases that could be prevented from spreading, which included tuberculosis, hepatitis, tetanus, and even human papillomavirus, which is a sexually transmitted disease.

Silao also said that she was worried that anti-vaccine communities in Negros Island could cripple their efforts to curb the spread of diseases in the Visayas through vaccination.

“The government spent millions for this, so we might as well grab the opportunity,” she said in Cebuano.

Meanwhile, Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal, DOH-7 medical officer IV, discussed the Six Ss, which are ailments prevalent during the hot season.

These are sore eyes, sunburn, sip-on (runny nose), suka (vomiting), sakmal sa iro (dog bites i.e. rabies), and heatstroke which are prevalent during the hot season.

She also advised those who would be doing penitentiary practices this Holy Week like self-flagellation and crucifixion to undergo medical

examinations in order to check their state of health before they would do such strenuous and risky activities./CNU Intern Sheen Michael Manigo