MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Feb. 14 (PIA) — The provincial government of Lanao del Sur linked up with village officials in the province to intensify the information and education campaign on the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The Provincial Information Office in coordination with the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) gathered officials of the 1, 159 barangays in the province Thursday, February 13, for an Orientation on COVID-19.
Dr. Alinader Minalang, IPHO chief, said the orientation aims to share with village officials what they need to know about coronavirus to stay safe.
He noted the importance of educating village officials so that they can also help in the dissemination of proper and complete information about the infection.
During the orientation, Dr. Apasra Mapupuno of IPHO provided an overview of COVID-19 including its symptoms and transmission. She emphasized that the infection has no vaccine or specific treatment yet.
The Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) preparedness initiative and the BARMM-MILG Memorandum Order No. 03 which calls for the adoption of necessary and preventive measures for the entry and spread of the coronavirus in the Bangsamoro areas.
Zorab Mangotara, Provincial Board Member and Committee on Health Chairperson, said the orientation is part of the information drive of the newly-created Provincial Interagency Task Force on COVID-19 to prevent the entry and spread of the dreaded infection in the province.
Meanwhile, village officials were reminded to organize and mobilize their Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTS), conduct contact-tracing in their respective barangays of individuals that came from China.
They were also advised to be vigilant in monitoring residents showing symptoms of the infection by immediately reporting them to health authorities.
The World Health Organization has already declared a global health emergency after cases of human-to-human transmission outside China were confirmed. (APB/PIA10)