Information is power! By knowing what we are up against, we can be more proactive in helping our families avoid or manage preventable diseases like dengue. Yesterday, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Philippines, Inc. (GSKCH) announced that it has joined forces with organizations such as the Department of Health (DOH), Philippines Pharmacists Association (PPHA), Mercury Drug Corporation, SmartParenting.com.ph, and CNN Philippines, in a concerted effort to defeat dengue in the country.
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| the dengue virus is carried by an infected female Aedes Mosquito |
Allied Against Dengue (AAD), a non-profit open platform, aims to empower healthcare providers, organizations, and communities; and holistically reduce the impact of dengue in the Philippines from prevention and control to management.
Did you know? Southeast Asia is the epicenter of dengue mosquito breeding because of our tropical climate. In the Philippines, the outbreak is spreading to more areas and affecting more lives such that cases rose significantly by 60 percent from 121,000 in 2014 to 200,415 in 2015. This year, the numbers went up 33 percent in the first quarter versus the same time frame last year.
According to GSK's Heather Pelier, dengue is rife in the Philippines and, unless we join forces, the disease will become the fastest spreading health threat in the country. "GSK was motivated to initiate Allied Against Dengue as we were concerned of the escalating hazard and effects of dengue on the nation including our employees and their families who have experienced the dreaded disease," she explained.
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| representatives of different organizations that allied against dengue |
Through collaborative partnerships with the DOH, private institutions, healthcare providers, media influencers, and community leaders, the movement aims to lead change and create a bigger impact to society. GSK, together with other coalition partners, activated an ambitious roadmap that aims to achieve AAD's goal of reducing the burden of dengue on society through empowerment and education.
It is good to know that more than 1,200 pediatricians and pharmacists will be involved in the public education and awareness of dengue fever management across the country, which is aligned to and complements the World Health Organization (WHO) global strategy for prevention and control as well as DOH's initiatives. Alliance partners have pledged to leverage their core competencies and dedicate energy, funds, and resources to help reduce the incidence rate of, and deaths, caused by dengue fever.
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| dengue is preventable! don't let it affect your family! |
By seeking to curb the incidence growth rate and make a real difference to the lives of Filipinos, AAD's strategies will include:
- Distribution of 50,000 DOH primers to at least 5 public schools in dengue hotspots in Metro Manila; and 15,000 leaflets to 1,000 pediatricians and general practitioners
- Education of proper dengue fever prevention and management to 20 health centers for Baranggay outreach programs
- Implementation of Continuous Pharmacy Education (CPE) Program in identified chapters, targeting 200 pharmacists
- Education and recruitment of at least 1000 Allies Against Dengue through employee engagement, online, and on ground activations.
These milestones are targeted to be achieved through the roll out of a series of initiatives including train-the-trainer programs, organized information centers through the coalition partners' networks, community education activations, and employee volunteers who will be part of and drive the community outreach at dengue hotspots.
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| mom and blogger Rowena Wendy Lei with celebrity mom Jolina Magdangal who are both allies against dengue |
Be an ally against dengue, too! Contact these toll free numbers 1800-14441-0884 / 1800-8908-8275 or email ph.customer-relations@gsk.com for more information so we can do more, feel better, and live longer! Download the DOH's Dengue Primer, here.
* photos without watermark were borrowed from the Allied Against Dengue Malaysia Facebook page
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