While some areas are more concerning than others, Bautista says that in some communities, specifically those in the north, the residents have been proactive to help mitigate the spread of Dengue. He says the community organized clean ups do make a major difference.
Kim Bautista, Chief of Operations, Vector Control Program
"In terms of Orange Walk, I think both Northern Districts are doing pretty well in terms of their preparedness and response. There have been quite a number of community engagements in terms of cleanup campaigns in the North and I believe that a couple weeks, at least two weeks ago, the regions both Northern Districts had met to update a Dengue and preparedness workplan."
"So some of the regions are very productive in that regard and the North is one of those regions. So I think it takes a lot of community engagement and sensitizing and of course as I express to the officers that the data must go back to the community so that the community knows what the situation is in their respective village because if you cannot appreciate and know what the situation is in your community then you will not get cooperation because you're not understanding that there is a situation in your community."
"So we must as a ministry, we must through our field personnel, must remain engaged with our communities."
