2nd week of July of every year declared as National Infection Prevention and Control Week

July 10, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared the second week of July of every year as "National Infection Prevention and Control Week," and the second Saturday of July of every year as "Surgical Infection Prevention Awareness Day."

Proclamation 971, which Duterte inked on June 23 and was released on Friday, said 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 infection resulting in epidemics, pandemics and antimicrobial resistance have become more evident.

"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 Proclamation read.

Duterte 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."

He also encouraged the hospitals, both public and private, including teaching and training hospitals, local government-owned hospitals, clinics and health facilities to participate and assist in the conduct of relevant programs, projects and activities for the successful implementation of the Proclamation. Celerina Monte/DMS