Takeda, Otsuka-Solar sign MoU to raise dengue awareness in the Philippines

by Patricia B. Mirasol, Producer

Takeda Healthcare Philippines, Inc. and Otsuka-Solar Philippines, Inc., with the support of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, inked on February 6 a memorandum of understanding to raise community-based awareness on dengue.

The Japan-backed health alliance aims to empower communities in the Philippines with the knowledge and resources needed to improve health-promoting behaviors.

Dengue cases from Jan. 1 to Nov. 16, 2024 reached 340,860 nationwide, or 81% higher than the 188,574 cases logged for the same period in 2023, according to the health department .

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Urbanization (especially unplanned), is associated with dengue transmission through multiple social and environmental factors, including population density, human mobility, access to reliable water sources, and water storage practice.

“With the Japanese Embassy’s support, Otsuka-Solar’s expertise in hydration and wellness, and Takeda’s leadership in pharmaceutical innovation, we can empower communities through open discussions about health, which is essential in shaping better healthcare practices and disease prevention strategies,” said Loreann E. Villanueva, country manager of Takeda Healthcare Philippines, Inc.

“The campaign is initially targeting 10 communities, she said.

“We’ll make the effort to understand what some of the causes are that’s driving the high incidence of dengue in their communities,” she told BusinessWorld on the sidelines of the event. “We are going to really find a way to get insights on the communities on what the gaps are, and that’s how were going to design the initiatives accordingly.”

“Thats how we can avoid deaths and achieve the W.H.O. [World Health Organization]’s goal of zero dengue deaths by 2030 ,” she added.

The highest case fatality rates of dengue in the country are observed among those 9 years old and below, as well as those 60 years old and above, said Dr. Enrique A. Tayag, a public health advocate and founding member of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination.

The challenges are multifold – from the lack of granular data to the different protocols for dengue management, he said at the Feb. 6 event.

The integration of routine vector surveillance is likewise a challenge, he said.

“Everyone does their own thing. They do it now, then they forget it the next season…,” he said. “Dengue will win if we do that. [Efforts] should be sustained. Hindi puwedeng ningas kugon lang (Our diligence shouldn’t just be short-lived).”

The Philippine health department cannot do this alone, Dr. Tayag told the event audience.

“This partnership can be a model for future collaboration among many entities,” he said.