Palawan health personnel undergo sanitation training

FILE: Photo shows DOH regional director Dr. Eduardo Janairo (center) (PNA photo by Ben Briones)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The Department of Health (DOH) in MIMAROPA region is training sanitary inspectors and health personnel at the local level to prevent environmental hazards in the community.

DOH regional director, Dr. Eduardo Janairo, said the “promotion of public health and protection of the community, as well as the environment, is vital in order to prevent another onset of gastrointestinal outbreak such as diarrhea, cholera and gastroenteritis.”

Janairo made this statement as the DOH here opened on Tuesday a four-day training on Community-led Total Sanitation (CLTS) for sanitary inspectors and other health personnel.

He said the training is needed at the local level to properly equip and coach them on how to identify the critical components in effective sanitation and cleanliness program and how to recognize the impact of sanitation and hygiene for the benefit of Palaweños.

“We want all sanitary inspectors and health personnel at the local level to be properly equipped and trained on the organization, management, education, enforcement, consultation, and emergency response for the prevention of environmental health hazards in the community,” Janairo stated.

The four-day training will be until November 10 and will focus on the proper identification of pathogens, their signs and symptoms, causes and prevention.

“Sustainable sanitation can only be achieved through the support of the local government units and local health officers. By recognizing their responsibility and providing them the necessary tools and skills, outbreaks and disease transmission at the local level can be avoided immediately,” he said.

The major cause in the transmission and spread of gastrointestinal infections, such as intestinal parasitism, is improper waste disposal, according to him.

It is also responsible for the contamination of water supply sources which can result to outbreak of diseases like cholera and gastroenteritis.

The Water and Sanitation Division (WSD) of the Environmental and Occupational Health Office (EOHO) of the DOH identified environment factors such as air and water pollution, sanitation conditions and hygiene practices, to be contributory to the spread of diseases, he said.

These account for 22 percent of the reported illnesses and 6 percent of the reported deaths in the country. (PNA)