Smart helps protect Iloilo communities from dengue

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications Inc. is lending its support to fight dengue through an initiative that includes a massive information campaign and deployment of affordable tools for controlling the mosquito population.

The company is providing some 4,000 ovicidal larvicidal (OL) traps in areas in Iloilo City with high prevalence of dengue cases, including Barangay Sooc, which recorded the highest number of dengue cases in Western Visayas in 2011, and Cabatuan town, which has recorded the highest number of cases so far this year.

“We are one with the government in its fight against dengue and the risks it poses to the public, particularly to children. In deploying these OL traps to households in areas that are most vulnerable, we help the government in its efforts to fight dengue and save lives,” said Ramon Isberto, Smart Public Affairs Group head.

The OL trap, developed by scientists of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), is a simple, cost-effective and efficient tool in decimating mosquito infestation.

It consists of a black container, a lawanit paddle where mosquitoes lay their eggs, and a pack of pellets used to make a solution that kills the mosquito eggs and larvae.

Apart from the turnover of the OL traps to the respective barangays, Smart, in partnership with the DOST and the Department of Health, also conducted seminars in the communities on how to use the device as well as tips on how to prevent breeding of mosquitoes in their surroundings.

The need for community action is made more pressing as changing weather patterns are seen bringing more rains throughout the year, making it more conducive for dengue-carrying mosquitoes to breed.

Dengue has become one of the deadliest preventable diseases in the country. Latest DOH data show there had been 42,207 dengue cases recorded nationwide from January to the first week of June this year.

Western Visayas accounted for the third most number of cases for the first half of the year with 4,444, double what was recorded in the past year.

The DOH and DOST together with the local government have been working with the private sector in helping bring this number down.

Iloilo City is also one of the areas where Smart has different projects, among them the globally recognized Project Zero in Barangay Sooc for community livelihood through the upcycling of merchandizing materials, and Project SHINE, a mobile health platform for electronic health facility referrals and patient information recording.

Smart also conducts regular disaster preparedness campaign and activities promoting learning and education in the city.