A UNIT of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) was adjudged as Best Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Pesu) in the whole of Central Luzon.

The award, handed by Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary Dr. Leonita P. Gorgolon, concurrent DOH regional director in Central Luzon, was given during the 6th Excellence Awards for Health recently in Clark Freeport, Pampanga.

Registered Medical Technologist Jolly G. Garcia, concurrent head of Pesu and coordinator of dengue and malaria diseases, said Pesu has done a great job in the monitoring and surveillance of public health diseases in the province.

The Pesu head said surveillance and response are very important in monitoring sick kabalens especially those who reside in far-flung barangays.

Garcia said they have accomplished much in disease monitoring and surveillance due to the assistance and coordination of the local government units concerned such as office of the mayor, municipal/city health offices, rural health physician, and staff.

It was learned that Pampanga has 94 disease reporting units (DRUs) located both in public and private hospitals including rural health units tasked to maintain good surveillance reports and these serve as the basis for the plan of action of the local government in lowering mortality cases in the whole province.

Garcia also announced that the Pampanga Pesu is now level two based on the DOH assessment in the entire Central Luzon. However, Garcia said they are targeting the level three position in the near future should they will be given their own vehicle to be used for surveillance especially in remote places of the province. (PR)