Zamboanga Sibugay (May 28 ) –The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has been tasked to conduct a massive campaign to contain the rise of measles cases in this province.
Gov. Wilter Palma issued the order on Monday after his office received the IPHO report indicating a high number of recorded dengue cases since January this year.
IPHO recorded 133 cases of measles for the first quarter of this year, up by 20 cases from 113 registered in the same period of last year.
An additional 23 cases have been recorded for the month of April until May 18, this year, or for a total of 156 measles cases registered since January.
Palma said the alarming spike of measles cases since January requires “a pro-active response from the provincial government.”
“In order to protect our children and save lives, it is mandatory that the provincial health office must conduct a massive anti-measles vaccination whenever applicable,” he said.
The IPHO has set a goal to immunize 75,000 children aged six to 59 months throughout this province.
“We would like to assure our people that the provincial government is committed in keeping our children free from a preventable disease like measles through timely intervention,” Palma said.
Last week, the Department of Health launched the “Ligtas Tigdas” campaign providing free measles vaccination to young children. -PNA
