By Diego López Marina
The Archdiocese of Piura in northern Peru donated on May 30 thousands of doses of medicines to the government’s Regional Health Directorate (DIRESA) to combat the dengue epidemic that has affected almost all regions of the country, Lambayeque and Piura.
Dengue is a virus that is transmitted to humans through mosquitoes and can cause nausea, fever, pain and, in severe cases, internal bleeding and death.
“In the face of these atrocious moments that our region is experiencing, the love of Christ impels us, and as a man it is the way of the Church, we dedicate ourselves to making a contribution in this delicate hour to cut the suffering of our brothers and sisters who suffer. of dengue and more deaths to mourn,” Bishop Jose Antonio Eguren of Pirua said May 30.
A press release from the archdiocese indicates that thanks to the contribution of Caritas Peru, 15,000 tablets of paracetamol, 1,140 ampoules of oral rehydration serum and 1,000 sets of insect repellent have been donated to the poorest patients. The delivery was made a rite that took place in the facilities of the central warehouse of DIRESA in Piura.
According to the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Control of Diseases of the Ministry of Health (Minsa), as of May 29, 111,085 cases have been reported nationwide with 153 deaths and 1,212 people hospitalized.
Just 4 and a half months into 2023, the figures exceed by 27. 82% the 68,290 infections diagnosed in 2017 and by 38. 19% those reported in 2022 (63,168), years in which dengue infection reached its levels.
According to information from the Regional Health Directorate (DIRESA), Piura is the region in which dengue cases have increased in recent days, reaching a total of 34,038 sick people and 40 deaths among children, adolescents and older adults, making Piura the region with the maximum number of deaths nationwide.
Dr. Myrian Fiestas Mogollón, Director General of DIRESA-Piura, thanked “the new delivery of aid that will allow us to continue the fight against dengue, which affects the population of young people and adolescents. “
“We are not going to back down in our fight. I take this opportunity to send a message to all citizens: you have to take great care of yourself, you do not have to have confidence in yourself, you have to provide amenities to the fumigation staff, use repellents and avoid at all times storing water in tanks that are outside, because they can be mosquito breeding sites, “said the doctor on May 30.
On the day of the delivery, Monsignor Eguren called on all institutions, personal corporations and other people of good will to collaborate in the effort and send their donations.
“I reiterate my call so that together we can avoid the alarming increase in dengue infections and defeat once and for all this terrible disease that continues to threaten the health of other Piuranos and so much suffering in families. . It is urgent that we all come together. Together, let’s defeat dengue,” he said.
On May 31, Eguren encouraged the faithful of the archdiocese “to pray the Holy Rosary so that, through the intercession of Our Lady of Mercy, our mother and patroness, her Son, the Lord Jesus, may free us from this epidemic, heal our sick and give eternal life to those who have died because of this serious illness.
“Let us pass with confidence to our heavenly Mother through the powerful recitation of the Holy Rosary, a prayer that for her is so dear, and of proven effectiveness in the highest arduous trials of life,” he urged.
Recently, the Medical College of Peru announced that the dengue epidemic is “spreading and overflowing” the country.
“We express our deep fear for the expansion and spread of the dengue epidemic in Peru, as day by day the number of inflamed people increases and the number of deaths increases alarmingly,” the institution said on May 19.
César Munayco, director general of the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Disease Control, said at a press conference on May 24 that of the 20 departments (administrative districts) affected by the dengue epidemic, six continue to accumulate cases. : Callao, Lima, Ica, La Libertad, Lambayeque and Piura.
The head of the Ministry of Health, Rosa Gutierrez, said that the departments with instances are Ayacucho, Cusco, Huanuco, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Pasco and Ucayali.
Munayco added that the instances remain solid in Amazonas, Ancash, Cajamarca, Junín, Puno, San Martín and Tumbes, without increase or decrease.
This story was first published through ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language press partner. It has been translated and adapted through CNA.