DOH preps psycho-social aid for Dengvaxia recipients’ parents

“We will be having mental health and psycho-social support for the parents of vaccinees,” Dr. Evamarie Torio, medical officer of the Department of Health’s (DOH) office in Calabarzon, said during the Mother Leaders/Mother Partners Forum in a hotel in Timog, Quezon City. (Photo: Department of Health (Philippines)/Facebook)

MANILA — Government health personnel in the Calabarzon region are ready to conduct mental and psycho-social support to parents of children immunized with the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine, an official said Wednesday.

“We will be having mental health and psycho-social support for the parents of vaccinees,” Dr. Evamarie Torio, medical officer of the Department of Health’s (DOH) office in Calabarzon, said during the Mother Leaders/Mother Partners Forum in a hotel in Timog, Quezon City.

Calabarzon covers the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.

At the forum, public health workers presented some ongoing plans and activities of the DOH in monitoring and ensuring the safe condition of Dengvaxia recipients in the region.

Torio said that in recognition of the stress and trauma felt by parents and children, they would be deploying psycho-health personnel as soon as their rigid training is done.

She said that other ongoing efforts of the department include continuous dialogue and consultation with health partners, and meetings with municipal health officers to echo interim guidelines on the provision of dengue kits.

Torio said at present, only less than 300 dengue kits have been provided to the recipients due to procurement procedures.

She said initial samples were distributed by the DOH Central Office while the rest were provided from stocks in the region.

“We also continue to provide logistics for the control of mosquitoes,” the health official said.

Torio said they are also intensifying the reproduction of information and education campaign materials.

To date, DOH 4A (Calabarzon) is also completing the copy of the master list of vaccinees; tracking and following up Dengvaxia recipients; conducting monthly and weekly meetings at the provincial level; coordinating with government and public health facilities for checkup of recipients and updating the lists of those who had been consulting in hospitals and rural health units.

It has also met with private and public hospitals and signed a memorandum of agreement with some private medical facilities.