THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) directed on Thursday, August 8, all units to coordinate with health officials in the conduct of anti-dengue initiatives to protect persons deprived of liberty from the viral disease.
BJMP Chief Jail Director Allan Iral said all jail units should coordinate with their local health units and assist in the information dissemination activities of the Department of Health.
“Hinihikayat po namin ang lahat ng mga personnel at PDL na makiisa sa mga programa ng DOH partikular na sa 4-o'clock habit upang masugpo ang epidemyang ito”, he said.
“Mas mainam kung ang lahat ay magtulong tulong na upang masugpo ang sakit na ito kaya tutulong na din kami sa information dissemination campaigns ng DOH lalo na sa mga pinaka apektadong lokalidad sa bansa. Bukod sa paglilinis sa aming mga pasilidad na maaring pamugaran ng lamok, kasama na rin yung mga adjacent areas mula sa mga jail facilities naming,” he added.
For its part, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is ready to provide assistance particularly in opening police hospitals to dengue patients.
PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac said that part of the preparation is to ensure adequate supply of blood for transfusion and medicines.
"All PNP personnel and dependents are encouraged to go to Regional Health Service units for consultation," he said.
Banac also said police personnel are ready to donate blood for civilian patients particularly during emergency situations.
On Tuesday, August 6, the DOH declared a national dengue epidemic due to the increasing number of deaths from the illness.
As of July 20, 2019, the DOH said 622 people have died from dengue in several regions.
The DOH said a total of 146,062 cases were recorded from January to July 20, which was 98 percent higher compared to the cases in the same period in 2018. (SunStar Philippines)