I WAS on-air for my morning radio program when a staff from GV99.1 approached me inside the booth and informed me that my guest has arrived. I peeked through the glass window and I saw this man alone in the receiving area.
I was expecting him a week before but our schedules did not permit us. His name is Neil Licayan, and he’s an architect. But I did not invite him to give a talk about architecture or structures. He was at the radio program for a much higher purpose.
The day before my live interview with Licayan was the 40th day after her daughter Jessica passed away. The father believed that the untimely passing of her young lady was caused by this another mosquito-borne disease called Japanese Encephalitis or JE.
Jessica Denise Licayan was described to be a dynamic and energetic teenage girl who studied at St. Scholastica Academy in City of San Fernando. Her father told me that they travelled a lot as a family.
Jessica’s early symptoms of the disease appeared to be associated with Dengue. Architect Licayan told me during the live radio interview that they were monitoring the platelet count of the patient during the early course of the treatment.
Initially, they were entertaining Dengue as the main culprit. After being hospitalized, Jessica was able to attend to school again. Not long after, her symptoms got worst and the Licayan family started to really worry about her condition. Architect Neil said that multiple doctors have helped to manage the case of Jessica but the combined efforts were futile in saving her.
Early this year, a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) said that JE is an illness that’s endemic in the Philippines and is fatal in almost 3 out of 10 serious cases.
The WHO report also said that nearly all survivors of this mosquito-borne disease experience permanent damage, including physical disabilities, cognitive and language problems, learning disabilities and behavioral problems.
Here in our region, a report from ABS-CBN Pampanga’s Trisha Mostoles found out that there had been a number of cases of Japanese Encephalitis recorded at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital in San Fernando.
But instead of just sitting on the corner while in grief, Architect Neil Licayan diverted his mourning into a life-saving advocacy. He went out to inform the world to be aware of this deadly disease. He did not let her daughter become a victim of JE. He is now part of a higher mission to save more lives, and his silent partner on this campaign is Jessica who is now at the comfort with our Creator. Licayan is correct. Hundreds of people daily are now following the architect’s awareness drive to defeat JE.
The bad news: Japanese encephalitis is considered to be an incurable illness. The good news: It can be prevented. Vaccines against JE are widely available in the Philippines. Parents and guardians are advised to consult with their pediatricians to know more about the details of vaccination. Proper mosquito abatement practice is also necessary within the community.
While Licayan is often seen putting a smile on his face to people around him, deep inside he is still grieving. Hats off to this man. God bless his family.