Measles cases are on the upsurge in Metro Manila. For the entire 2013, the national capital region recorded 1,724 cases – 43% or almost half of all cases in the country. (READ: DOH: Measles upsurge due to kids missing free vaccination)

Rappler speaks to Health Secretary Enrique Ona, whose department is stepping up a nationwide campaign to eliminate this infectious viral disease by 2017. (READ: Measles-free Philippines by 2017?)

The mass immunization will kick off in September and will target 13 million children all over the country.

Can the Philippines do it? What's the situation in places outside of Metro Manila? How are we compared to neighboring countries?

Ona will also talk about the perennial problem of dengue and the state of public health in the Philippines. What are the diseases the Department of Health is watching out for? What were the victories of the department in 2013?

Source:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=ArXApfgDibY

For those interested watch the interview below.