With a proactive approach, the Dominican Republic is successfully keeping a lid on a potential dengue outbreak, despite a surge of the mosquito-borne illness plaguing the Americas.
While the region grapples with a staggering 8 million dengue cases so far in 2024, the Dominican Republic has managed to contain its outbreak to just 840 confirmed cases out of roughly 5,000 suspected ones. This success story is attributed to swift action taken by the Ministry of Public Health under the leadership of Dr. Victor Atallah.
Dr. Atallah, a cardiologist and functional medicine practitioner, took office in January 2024 facing a looming regional health crisis. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) had warned of a potentially disastrous dengue season due to climate change and expected heavy rains.
Determined to prevent a similar scenario in the Dominican Republic, Dr. Atallah launched the “Ganemosle al dengue” (Let’s Win Against Dengue) campaign. This initiative partnered with the Ministry of Education, the Center for Emergency Operations, Civil Defense, city governments, and various community groups.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Dr. Atallah early on convinced President Luis Abinader and Vice President Raquel Peña to elevate the fight against dengue to a national program. This multi-sectoral approach, encompassing government agencies, communities, and international organizations, proved highly effective.
“We’ve successfully mitigated the dengue outbreak that was anticipated for April thanks to this integrated effort,” Dr. Atallah declared.
With the peak dengue season approaching (July to November), the Dominican Republic is well-prepared. Efforts continue to keep the mosquito breeding grounds under control, healthcare providers have been trained, and hospitals have increased bed capacity to handle potential surges. Additionally, public education campaigns are ongoing, empowering citizens to prevent and manage the illness effectively.
Dr. Atallah underscored the critical role played by Dominicans at all levels. “This campaign exemplifies the Dominican spirit,” he remarked, “a spirit of overcoming challenges, together.”
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La Semanal 11:40 minutes
Diario Libre
12 June 2024