THE ONGOING surge in dengue cases across Iloilo Province, with a 191% increase from the previous year, casts a harsh light on an important aspect of our healthcare system — the vulnerability of our children to this disease. The data, revealing a high concentration of dengue cases among children aged one to 10, demands immediate and targeted action to shield these susceptible groups from the dangers posed by such outbreaks.
Dengue does not discriminate, but its impact is profoundly severe on the youngest of our society, who are less equipped to combat its brutal symptoms. This year children in Iloilo have borne the brunt of this epidemic, constituting the majority of the nearly 3,000 affected. This situation calls for the reshaping of our healthcare strategies and infrastructure to prioritize those at greatest risk.
Iloilo’s response must be sufficiently tailored to address the needs of our children. It must extend beyond general strategies to include pediatric-focused healthcare solutions that cater specifically to the vulnerabilities of young bodies.
Firstly, we need to enhance access to pediatric healthcare services in all affected areas, especially remote and rural areas where healthcare disparities are most pronounced. This may include the deployment of mobile health clinics and the establishment of pediatric wards equipped to handle severe cases of dengue and other infectious diseases. Our healthcare workers must also be specially trained to recognize and treat the early signs of severe dengue in children, which can often differ significantly from those seen in adults.
Preventive measures must also be ramped up, with schools and childcare centers becoming focal points for dengue awareness and mosquito control programs. Educational campaigns that teach children about the importance of mosquito bite prevention, the identification of symptoms, and the importance of early medical intervention can empower them and potentially save lives.
Community involvement is just as crucial. Parents, teachers, and local leaders must be enlisted in a widespread effort to eradicate mosquito breeding sites, a primary prevention strategy that has been proven effective. Local government units could spearhead regular clean-up drives and provide necessary resources such as insecticide-treated nets and window screens to families, particularly those in high-risk areas.
Our focus must be clear: Protect the most vulnerable among us, our children, with targeted healthcare interventions. The cost of inaction is too great, and the stakes — our children’s lives — are far too high.
