The increasingly unpredictable weather has, unfortunately, brought about a boom in certain diseases. Dengue is one of these diseases. In fact, World Health Organization’s Dengue Situation Update 673 cited the Philippines’ Department of Health’s figures showing how dengue cases as of May 2023 was already 38% higher than the same period last year. 

Dengue is no small matter and preparing against it or for when it happens should be something you should think about.

Here are some tips to make sure your family is prepared for dengue:

Be proactive

• Always have insect repellent handy with you wherever you go, especially during monsoon season.
  
• Keep your house clean and tidy. Make sure to dispose waste properly and avoid leaving junk inside and outside the house that can possibly be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Have regular, routine visits to the doctor for early intervention of potential illnesses.
• Constantly read about the latest updates on dengue and the preventative measures you can do to protect your family.

Be aware

• Stay updated with the latest information about what is happening in school, in your community, and in your workplace.
• Observe your surrounding environment and raise any concern about cleanliness and need for upkeep in your neighbourhood.

Be prepared

• Set aside at least 3 months' worth of living expenses for emergencies.
• Get a health plan that can protect you and your family from sudden illnesses and the expenses that come with it.
• Strengthen your and your family’s immune system by taking daily vitamins, eating healthy, and staying fit.

You can get your kids more targeted protection against dengue with AIA Critical Protect 100; this plan offers dengue coverage for dependents up to 22 years old. The plan also offers coverage against 100 other critical illnesses, starting from age 0 to 100. Additional riders improve your coverage against gender-specific cancers and offer an option to receive yearly recovery benefits.

Family members hospitalized for dengue cases can count on AIA Med-Assist, which offers a medical benefit that can also cover up to 90% of in-patient expenses for a yearly maximum of P4,000,000; and Daily Hospitalization Income that awards beneficiaries P3,000 for every day that they’re confined, over the course of a whole year. 

To further supplement your protection, you may also consider getting a health plan that can cover other hospitalization expenses. Check out MediCard Philippines, one of the leading HMO providers in the country that is now part of the AIA Philippines family.