Samar State University. Society of Students for Green Environment (S4GreEnvi) holds a symposium on “Enhancing Knowledge about Microbial Diseases: Awareness and Prevention Amidst Pandemic” on December 13, 2022 at Function Room COED Building with the aim of spreading literacy on the prevalence of different microbial diseases in region 8.
The event is favored by different science experts from various field. Professor Diana Shane A. Balindo, S4GreEnvi Adviser, delivers a lecture on ‘Understanding Biodiversity, Health, and Sanitation’. She emphasizes the interconnectedness of biodiversity, health and sanitation. “Protecting biodiversity means protecting humanity,” she stated. On the other hand, Janine R. Colebra RN, MSN Nurse 3 from the Animal Bite Treatment Center Out-Patient Department, shares her expertise on ‘Epidemiology of Rabies and Tetanus’. She also discusses the proper actions in dealing with rabies and tetanus as well as the availability of vaccines from their department. In addition to that, she emphasizes that rabies and tetanus are not curable but are vaccine-preventable diseases. Lastly, Agnes N. Cuayzon SHPO, head of Schistosomiasis Control and Elimination Program, imparts her knowledge on the ‘Prevalence of Schistosomiasis in the Region 8’ highlighting Samar as the top province in terms of the number of cases. She describes schistosomiasis as one of the most ignored diseases because of its delayed effect on the victim. “It’s like killing you slowly,” she said.
The event is also attended by the BSED-Science students of Samar State University from all year levels.