Navotas launches campaign vs summer diseases

The Navotas municipal government launched over the weekend an information campaign aimed at educating residents to help them prevent contracting common diseases this summer.

Mayor Toby Tiangco directed Dr. Lorna Mallari, acting head of the municipal health department, to utilize barangay health centers in their drive.

"I always believe that prevention is more important than cure. We can easily avoid these illnesses if we are aware of their causes and effects and share our knowledge to others," Tiangco said, adding that among the most common diseases during summer are sore eyes, heat stroke and diarrhea.

He advised residents to drink plenty of water everyday to avoid dehydration and heat stroke, and maintain basic personal hygiene by frequently washing their hands with soap and water to prevent diarrhea or sore eyes. He also said that children must also avoid frequent rubbing of their eyes.

"We can easily avoid contracting these diseases by adhering to these simple recommendations for us to remain in good physical condition this summer," Tiangco said.

Tiangco said that the unusual rise in temperature is one of the main factors contributing to the surge of illnesses this summer.

Meanwhile, Malabon-Navotas Rep. Ricky Sandoval announced yesterday his plan to put up a Navotas General Hospital to better serve health needs of the residents.

Sandoval noted that the local government cannot properly take care of its residents’ health because Navotas has no hospital of its own.

Sandoval is on his last term as representative of the lone district of Malabon-Navotas and is running for mayor of Navotas in the May 14 election while Tiangco is running for re-election. – Pete Laude