Tag:

davao city health office

Dengue cases in Davao City continue to decrease

by Contributor June 12, 2026

written by Contributor

BY: RHENA JEAN H. BATOBALANI, DEANNE MAE C. URBIZTONDO & FRANCINE ALYXIA C. PALMES/CMU Interns

THE CITY Health Office recorded 644 dengue cases from January to May 2026, reflecting a 61.5% decrease compared to the 1,674 cases reported during the same period in 2025.

Dengue-related deaths also dropped from 17 in 2025 to seven this year, marking a 58.82% reduction.

The CHO also revealed that two of the seven deaths associated with dengue died due to leptospirosis. Moreover, most of the patients were males, and the most affected age group was between 5 and 9 years old.

Melodina Babante, CHO Tropical Diseases Prevention and Control Unit program manager, attributed the decrease to the strict implementation of City Ordinance No. 0401-20, also known as the Davao City Mosquito-Borne Diseases Prevention and Control Program.

The ordinance strengthens dengue prevention efforts through community participation, environmental sanitation, and mosquito control measures across the city.

Babante also urged the remaining 102 barangays of Davao City to have their own Mosquito-Borne Disease Task Force to help the community having less to zero cases of dengue.

“Ipadayon ang pagtinabangay gikan sa community sa atong barangay, diri sa atong mga ahensya sa government: ang City Health, ang Cenro, aron mapadayon nato ang pagbaba sa kaso sa dengue sa Davao City hangtod-hangtod nani siya,” Babante said.

Despite the encouraging figures, health officials urged all barangays and residents not to be complacent. The public is reminded to maintain cleanliness, eliminate mosquito breeding sites, and observe proper safety and preventive measures to help sustain the continued decrease in dengue cases.

June 12, 2026 0 comments

Health

Davao City records 8 cases of measles; CHO intensifies immunization campaign

by Contributor April 24, 2026

written by Contributor

BY ALDRIN JAMES A. BOHOL/DNSC Intern

THE City Health Office (CHO) on Wednesday reported eight measles cases recorded this year, prompting intensified monitoring and immunization efforts across affected districts ahead of the World Immunization Week.

During the iSpeak conference on Thursday, April 23, Dr. Annaliza S. Malubay, CHO National Immunization Program medical coordinator, said they found cases in Buhangin, Marilog, Agdao, District A, and Talomo Central. The patients range from 3 months to 31 years old, with most unvaccinated or discharged without completing immunization.

“We need to catch up on our masterlist — identify who is due for measles immunization and ensure they are vaccinated,” Malubay said, noting the city aims for a 95% immunization coverage annually, a significant jump from last year’s 58%.

‎‎The CHO rolled out the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity with a district-wide vaccination campaign culminating by the end of April.

The drive targets not only children but also mothers for tetanus immunization, newborns for BCG vaccines against TB meningitis and Hepatitis B, and students, as well. Senior citizens are prioritized for the upcoming flu vaccinations.

“Vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge. Misinformation, lack of trust in the government and pharmaceutical companies, perceived side effects, and cultural beliefs contributed to low coverage,” Malubay stressed.

Malubay emphasized that the vaccinations are safe and effective. German measles has emerged as of April 2026, and all are encouraged to be vaccinated to prevent disease outbreaks. World Immunization Weeks run on April 24-30, 2026.

April 24, 2026 0 comments

Health

Disease care and prevention highlighted on World Kidney Day

by Contributor March 27, 2026

written by Contributor

BY LIZA BELLE PATAGOC & MICHELLE G. RAFAEL/DNSC Interns

THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) XI, Davao City Health Office, and the Philippine Society of Nephrology (PSN) Davao Chapter highlighted kidney care and prevention on March 26, 2026, at the Annex Event Center of SM City Davao.

Medical experts emphasized the importance of proper care to prevent kidney disease during the observance of World Kidney Day.

Dr. Conrad Earl Cabahug, a urologist, explained that kidney stones may be caused by both genetic and lifestyle factors.

“Is a kidney stone inherited, or is it because of lifestyle? Sadly, both are true. Kidney stones are highly genetic or hereditary. If your parents have a history of kidney stones, there is a higher possibility that you may develop them as well. However, the increasing number of cases today is largely influenced by lifestyle,” he said.

The public is urged to closely monitor diet and food intake as a key measure to prevent kidney stones.

Cabahug also stressed that kidneys should never be neglected, noting that proactive care through proper hydration, a low-sodium diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and routine health screenings can significantly lower the risk of kidney stones and other related diseases while maintaining optimal renal function.

March 27, 2026 0 comments

Health

Davao city marks World TB Day with strong push for Awareness and Treatment

by Contributor March 21, 2026

written by Contributor

BY CHELSEA JEAN VALENTOS & ROSELYN DIAZ/DNSC Interns

LOCAL health officials are intensifying efforts to raise awareness, promote early detection, and encourage treatment adherence as tuberculosis remains a concern for Davao City.

During the Ispeak Media Conference on Thursday, March 19, Dr. Jennie Marie D. Salamasan, national TB program medical coordinator, said Davao City recorded 7,127 new tuberculosis cases in 2025. The total cases, including previously treated patients, reached 8,712.

Despite ongoing interventions, the number of cases continues to rise due to improved detection through strategies such as active case finding.

She said that TB cases are most common among individuals aged 15 to 65, although infections are also present among children and senior citizens.

Salamasan said approximately 199 cases occurred among children, and over 1,000 cases occurred among elderly patients.

“It’s still alarming since our goal is zero TB—zero disease, zero suffering, zero burden. Even if there are free medicines, we still need to spread awareness for them to follow through with the treatment,” she said.

The city has adopted a patient-centered approach to treatment, allowing patients to access medication through barangay health centers and treatment partners, such as trained relatives or community health workers. This system ensures consistent medication intake without requiring daily visits to health centers.

She also emphasized that TB transmission remains present in communities, especially in overcrowded areas and among individuals with limited access to proper nutrition and health information.

Salamasan explained that while 172 TB-related deaths were recorded, these include both cases directly and indirectly linked to tuberculosis, as all patients undergoing treatment who passed away are counted in the data.

March 21, 2026 0 comments

Health

DOH Davao achieves 61.61% in supplemental Measles-Rubella immunization

by Nova Mae Francas February 9, 2026

written by Nova Mae Francas

A TOTAL of 316,074 children aged 6-59 months have been vaccinated under the measles-rubella supplemental immunization activity (MR-SIA), translating to a 61.61% completion rate.

During the Kapihan sa PIA on Monday, Feb. 9, Dr. Grace Amistoso, DOH XI OIC assistant regional director, said that only 196,935 remain unvaccinated of the target population of 513,009 children.

As of Feb. 8, Davao City recorded the lowest turnout with 91,877 vaccinated out of 167,192 eligible children, representing a 54.95% coverage. Davao Occidental recorded 19,407 vaccinated and 15,700 unvaccinated among 35,107 eligible children, achieving 55.28%.

In Davao del Sur, 40,054 out of 67,039 children were vaccinated, leaving 26,985 unvaccinated and resulting in 59.75% coverage.

Davao del Norte posted a 63.21% accomplishment with 70,764 vaccinated and 41,195 unvaccinated out of 111,959 eligible.

Meanwhile, Davao de Oro vaccinated 50,870 of its 75,610 target, with 24,740 still unvaccinated, reaching 67.28%.

On the other hand, Davao Oriental showed the highest performance in the region, with 43,102 vaccinated out of 56,102 eligible children, leaving 13,000 unvaccinated and reaching 76.83% accomplishment.

“As we move into the last week, our focus is clear to reach every remaining eligible child, especially those hard-to-reach areas and those who missed earlier vaccination days,” she said.

Dr. Janis Olavides, DOH XI Medical Officer IV, said the agency continues to reach out to the grassroots to reach the 95% herd immunity target.

To meet the 95% regional target of 487,359 children, an additional 171,285 vaccinations are still needed.

Olavides stressed that the deferrals and refusals from the parents are a challenge to the program. Deferrals are those parents who wish to postpone the vaccination as the child is sick, while refusals refer to parents who still exhibit fear of the vaccine.

However, about 25% of the previously deferred children were eventually vaccinated as the assigned health workers continued to monitor these children.

Olavides said refusals this year are not high due to the series of vaccinations that the agency implemented.

“The supplemental immunization is necessary because we have not reached our herd immunity of 95%, so the target eligibles might still contract measles,” she added.

With the supplemental immunization campaign ending on Feb. 13, the agency urged parents to have their children undergo routine immunization.

February 9, 2026 0 comments