2nd week of July declared ‘National Infection Prevention and Control Week’

MANILA, Philippines — To promote health consciousness amid the COVID-19 pandemic, President Rodrigo Duterte has declared the second week of July as the “National Infection Prevention and Control Week.”

“The State recognizes infection as a major health problem, which has a significant impact on mortality, morbidity and quality of life, and acknowledges that the threats posed by an infection resulting in epidemics, pandemics and antimicrobial resistance have become more evident,” Duterte in Proclamation No. 971 signed June 23 which was only made public Friday.

“There is a need to emphasize prevention and health promotion as tools to address the threats posed by infection, and attain a safer, more effective and higher quality of health service delivery,” it added.

Under the same proclamation, the President also declared the second Saturday of July of every year as the “Surgical Infection Prevention Awareness Day.”

Duterte directed the Department of Health to promote the observance of both events.

The President also encouraged all hospitals to participate and assist in the conduct of relevant programs, projects and activities. [ac]