For
collaborating with local governments to combat the rise of measles cases
nationwide, local chapters of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) were
hailed during the society’s 56th Annual Convention at the Philippine
International Convention Center.
The lauded chapters include those from Northeastern Luzon, Northern Luzon,
Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Negros Occidental,
Western Visayas, Cebu Central Visayas, Davao Southern Mindanao, North Central
Mindanao, and Southwestern Mindanao.
Some
of these chapters work in regions where measles outbreaks have been declared.
These include Metro Manila (NCR), Central Luzon (Region 3), CALABARZON (Region
4A), Western Visayas (Region 6), and Central Visayas (Region 7). While no
outbreaks have been declared in other regions, measles cases have been reported
in nearly every province in February.
"The work of our local chapters is a testament to their commitment,
creativity, and ingenuity to collaborate with local government units to address
the measles outbreak in the country,” said PPS President Dr. Salvacion
Gatchalian. “Our work continues to make sure that we, as pediatricians, are
equipping our patients with the knowledge of how vaccines can save lives.”
These local chapters were specifically recognized for heeding a plea by the PPS
for greater public-private collaboration to resolve the health crisis. In
February, the PPS and Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines
(PIDSP) released a letter calling on their members to take every opportunity to
educate the public about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.
The
PPS and PIDSP also launched the “Save the Future” campaign, which aims to restore
the public's trust in vaccination. The campaign pledged to support the
Department of Health's initiatives to increase awareness and immunization
coverage nationwide.
By end of April this year, the DOH revealed that it exceeded its target to
provide measles vaccination for 3.8 million Filipino children aged six months
to 59 months. While the number of measles cases has decreased, the DOH is yet
to declare an end to the outbreak in Metro Manila and other regions in the
Philippines.
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