Press Release
August 24, 2010

ANGARA: PROVINCIAL HOSPITALS SHOULD BE EQUIPPED
TO HANDLE DENGUE OUTBREAK

Senator Edgardo J. Angara today expressed his concern over the increasing number of dengue cases in the Philippines, noting the dengue alerts being made week after week throughout the country.

"Although we expected a spike in dengue cases because of the rainy season, the situation we are facing now is more serious than we prepared for. Some areas have even been put under a State of Calamity because of this disease," said Angara.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), dengue cases in 2010 have increased by 48% compared to the same period last year.

Dengue outbreaks have been reported in several areas, namely Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Western and Central Visayas, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos and Davao. Most of these areas are also suffering from overcrowded hospitals.

While dengue is rampant all over South East Asia, the DOH says that the Philippines is the hardest hit by this outbreak. The disease is spreading despite the geographic boundaries presented by the archipelago. These very barriers, however, are making it difficult for Filipinos in the countryside to access their healthcare facilities.

"Government hospitals, especially those in the provinces need to be self-sufficient, and well-maintained to be able to handle a huge influx of patients like what is happening now because of the dengue outbreak, said Angara, who is the author for the Government Hospitals' Capital Outlay Utilization which helps hospitals use their income for their own maintenance and operations.

"To be sure that our government hospitals can provide quality health services to the people, we need to provide them with the means to be financially independent and effective," Angara said.

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