The Philippines was declared as polio-free country for nineteen years by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2000. Last September 19, 2019, a National Polio Outbreak was announced by Secretary of Health, Francisco T. Duque III, MD, MSc. after they have found-out one positive case of the disease in Lanao del Sur and after environmental samples from Davao and Manila were tested positive.

Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious viral disease, which mainly affects children under 5 years of age. Man is the only natural host for polio virus, thus, transmitted by person-to-person spread mainly through the fecal to oral route or by contaminated water and food that multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system and can cause paralysis.

The DOH-CHD SOCCSKSARGEN Region conducted a stakeholders meeting last November 13, 2019 at EMR Entertainment Music and Recreation Center, Koronadal City in relation with the nationwide Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio on November 25-December 7, 2019 for round one and January 6-18, 2020 for round 2. The meeting was attended by representatives of provincial and city health offices of Region XII, regional line agencies and Philippine Red Cross. It calls out all partner agencies to support in the dissemination of the DOH’s Polio Vaccination Campaign.

The National Nutrition Council, commits to intensify its advocacy regarding the polio vaccination campaign of the DOH to the local level. The Nutriskwela community radio networks of Region XII together with other partners from the regional media group (Nutri-DOSE) were tapped to promote the benefits of polio oral vaccination.

There is no cure for polio, however, oral polio vaccine (OPV) is the best way to prevent polio and it is safe and effective. In addition, proper hand washing practices, maintain clean environment, prepare and cook food properly, drink only clean water and practice Zero-Open Defecation can help prevent the spread of polio and other diseases.(RALaurito/AMFlores/AML)