ANGELES CITY -- An international conference on dengue prevention and control will be held on May 19, Friday at the Holy Angel University in thi city.
The lead organizer, Rotary International District 3790, said, for the first time since the conference started in 2013, barangay health workers (BHWs) will participate in the Third International Conference on Dengue Prevention and Control for Zika, Malaria and Japanese Encephalitis.
"This is the first time that the conference goes down to the grassroots by stressing the participation of urban and rural BHWs who are the foot soldiers in the national fight against dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases," organizers said.
The event is a continuing project of the Rotary Action Group on Dengue initiated by Rotary International (RI) president D.K. Lee in 2009. The first conference was held in Thailand in the University of Phayao on February 2013 and Malaysia in the University of Technology on September 2014.
The Philippine event is organized by the Rotary Club of Clark Field headed by Josie Henson whose husband RI Past District Governor Ruben Henson Jr. is the overall Chairman.
Dr. Henson also chairs the RAG dengue control committee formed in Bangkok by a group of Rotary leaders from East Asia, the region with the highest dengue cases and deaths.
Other attendees are Rotarians from District 3790 and public and private health personalities.
The international panel of speakers will be Ambassador Rodrigo Do Amaral Souza, Ambassador of Brazil to the Philippines; Rotary Past District Governors Dr. Virachai Jamroendararasame of Thailand, PDG Ir John Cheah Kam Loong of Malaysia, Assistant Secretary of Health Dr. Maria Francia Laxamana, Department of Health Director IV Dr. Enrique Tayag, Department of Health Director III Dr. Ma. Joyce Ducusin and Infectious Disease Consultant Dr. Lyzette Pangilinan of the Philippines. (PR)