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THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas has been prompted to update its dengue management protocols due to a surge in cases – rising by a staggering 114 percent compared to last year.
The move aims to streamline the process of hospital admissions and enhance patient care across the region. As cases continue to escalate, it is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of these new guidelines and understand their real impact on the region’s healthcare system.
The new protocols differentiate patients based on the presence of warning signs associated with severe dengue, such as severe abdominal pain and persistent vomiting, among others. Patients exhibiting these signs are prioritized for hospital admission, whereas those without can be managed as outpatients or monitored at home. This strategy is intended to prevent the overcrowding of tertiary and district hospitals, which makes sense. Yet, one must question whether these measures are sufficient and how they translate into practical outcomes.
Firstly, the effectiveness of these protocols hinges on the ability of both healthcare providers and the public to correctly identify the warning signs of severe dengue. This requires widespread public education efforts that need to be rigorously implemented and sustained, ensuring that every parent and caregiver can recognize when hospital care is necessary. The risk of misclassification and the potential for severe cases to go unrecognized without timely intervention could have dire consequences.
The establishment of “dengue fast lanes” in hospitals is also a strategic response to the urgent need for swift treatment of dengue patients. This is designed to reduce waiting times and expedite care, but its success fundamentally depends on the overall capacity of hospitals to effectively manage a sudden influx of patients. With the current healthcare infrastructure in some parts of the region still under strain, the adequacy of these fast lanes must be continuously assessed.
Another significant aspect of the new protocols is the emphasis on outpatient management for cases deemed non-severe. This relies heavily on the capabilities of Rural Health Units (RHUs) to provide follow-up care and monitor patients adequately. The effectiveness of this decentralized care model must be evaluated to ensure that it does not compromise the quality of care received by the patients.
True, the new dengue management protocols are a strategic response to the current surge, but their real-world effectiveness needs continuous monitoring and adaptation. These must be accompanied by strengthened healthcare facilities, robust public health education, and a comprehensive strategy to combat the spread of the mosquito-borne disease at its source.