Gov't urged to boost fight vs. meningitis

As health experts stressed the importance of inoculation against vaccine-preventable diseases, they urged the national government to boost its fight against meningitis.

Speaking during the Health Connect forum, Department of Health (DOH) Health Promotion Bureau Director IV Maria Kristina Marasigan emphasized that prevention is still a top priority under the Universal Health Care Law.

“Our goal is not just to raise awareness but to empower Filipinos to make informed health decisions,” Marasigan said.

She also pointed out that many Filipinos want to get vaccinated but lack information on schedules and access points, which underscores the need to strengthen public outreach information.

While awareness of other vaccine-preventable diseases has increased, meningitis remains largely ignored as Dr. Josefina Carlos of the University of the East–Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center emphasized the importance of collective action in fighting meningitis.

Carlos said that although vaccine hesitancy has decreased, ongoing cooperation among communities, healthcare workers, and organizations remains essential as the world has only five years left to reach the World Health Organization (WHO)'s 2030 goal of eliminating meningitis.

Dr. Elizabeth Escaño-Gallardo of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines highlighted that preparedness is essential.

“Effective communication, early recognition, infection control, and vaccination were crucial,” Escaño-Gallardo stressed.

“Outbreaks are unpredictable; we don’t know when or where they might happen. But our experience has clearly proven that vaccination remains our best strategy to prevent future outbreaks. I cannot overemphasize how important this strategy is,” she added.

Meningitis can kill within 24 hours or leave survivors with lasting disabilities, such as seizures or hearing and vision loss. Despite the availability of vaccines, many Filipinos remain unprotected, according to experts.

Without quick action, the WHO warns that 400,000 people globally could be affected over the next five years.