Duterte declares 2nd week of July as National Infection Prevention and Control Week
Published July 10, 2020 2:09pm
President Rodrigo Duterte has set the second week of July as the National Infection Prevention and Control Week as the Philippines battles the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duterte made the declaration through Proclamation 971, which also designated the second Saturday of July as the Surgical Infection Prevention Awareness Day.
“[T]he 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 infection resulting in epidemics, pandemics and antimicrobial resistance have become more evident,” the proclamation stated.
“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.”
The President directed the Department of Health, in coordination with relevant non-government organizations and professional associations, to promote the observance of the National Infection Prevention and Control Week and Surgical Infection Prevention Awareness Day.
All hospitals, both public and private, were also encouraged to participate and assist in the conduct of relevant programs, projects and activities.
Duterte signed the proclamation on June 23 but was released by Malacañang to the media on Friday. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News
