THE city of Manila has introduced an innovative way to create awareness about dengue in view of the observance of the ‘Dengue Awareness Month by the city, led by the Manila Health Department (MHD).
Mayor Honey Lacuna is thus inviting the residents of Manila to download the “Kapitan Ligtas: Dengue Fighter” on their cellphones.
This, she said, is a mobile game that can be downloaded via Google/play store free of charge. Kapitan Ligtas is MHD’s mascot who educates the residents on how to keep various illnesses at bay and what to do in case they get sick.
It was learned that the game was introducted by MHD chief Dr. Arnold ‘Poks’ Pangan in an effort to draw the interest of the citizens of Manila, especially the youngsters.
Pangan said that the app is currently available fo android phones only but that in the weeks to come, it may become available for IPhones too.
“Samahan ninyo si ‘Kapitan Ligtas’ sa sukdulang labanan laban sa dengue. Pinagsasama ng kapana-panabik na offline na larong ito ang puno ng aksyon na ‘gameplay’ na may mahalagang pang-edukasyon na nilalaman upang matulungan kang matutunan kung paano pigilan ang pagkalat ng dengue,” Pangan said.
According to Lacuna, the idea was brought about by the fact that most Filipinos are on their cellphones most hours of the day and in view of the usual expected rise in dengue cases during rainy season.
This, she added, was designed to draw the interest of the public specially children, who are most prone to dengue owing to unintended carelessness.
Apart from being enjoyable, the mobile game, Lacuna said, teaches the player about dengue and how to repel the mosquitoes that bring about the dreaded illness.
“Para din po sa mga anak at apo kasi very educational ang laro o app na ito, kung saan makkita po kung paano nilalabanan ni Kapitan Ligtas ang lamok na may dalang dengue,” the mayor said.
