Thursday, December 23, 2010

CHD-NM Christmas Party with the theme: Makulay na Pasko sa CHD-NM (Regional Health Office Region-X)


During the Christmas Party of CHD-Northern Mindanao held December 22, 2010, at the DOH-X quadrangle, Dr. Jaime S. Bernadas, Regional Director, handed the Php500, 000 check to the winning most functional Federated Barangay Health Workers Association in the Region, which is the Federated BHW of Cagayan de Oro City. Representing the Association is Mrs. Sarah Vistal, Federated BHW President. Assisting Dr. Bernadas is Director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr, Director III, and Chief of Local Health Support Division, Dr. Susan O. Dongallo. With the group of Ms. Vistal is Dr. Rachel Dilla, City Health Officer II of Cagayan de Oro , Ms Iryn Salcido, Public Health Nurse Cag. De Oro City Health Office, and Dr. Edna Sheila B. Eugenio. The 1st Runner up receiving Php250,00 is the Federated BHW of Misamis Occidental and the 2nd runner up is the Federated BHW of Bukidnon, and the 3rd runner –up is the Federated BHW of Misamis Oriental. –Ma. Elen C. Santua, M.D., MS II

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

KAMPANYA KONTRA PAPUTOK AT MRT STATIONS

Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona recently unveiled a ‘Kampanya Kontra Paputok’ tarpaulin aimed at reducing incidence of fireworks-related injuries to children as Department of Health data revealed that most injuries due to fireworks are found in children aged below 10 years old. Ona instead suggested that local government units designate a common fireworks display area, where the community can gather and have fun while watching fireworks display handled by professionals.

Source: www.doh.gov.ph

Thursday, December 16, 2010

From Womb to Tomb Media Seminar

Dr. Ivanhoe C. Escartin, of the National Center for Health Promotion, presenting to media data on suicide during the recent DOH “Womb To Tomb” media seminar held on December 8-10, 2010 in Montebello Hotel , Cebu City. Dr. Escartin talked about depression as a pre- cursor to suicide, as suicide becomes more common during Christmas holidays.

source: www.doh.gov.ph

WALANG BATANG MAGPAPAPUTOK

Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona discusses to students of Payatas B Elementary School the effects of using fireworks/firecrackers during this holiday season. Ona made the visit to schools to personally advise children to refrain from using fireworks/firecrackers as DOH statistics reveal that most injuries occur in the 1-10 years age group. He also cited that injuries to children happen because fireworks/firecrackers are available at community retail stores. The Department of Health stressed that no irresponsible fireworks use will result to no injury, or even death.

source: www.doh.gov.ph

World Health Report 2010 focusing on Health Systems Financing

Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona, (3rd from left) presenting the World Health Report 2010 focusing on Health Systems Financing - The Path to Universal Coverage. Health Secretary Ona reiterated in the Alma-Ata Declaration that Health for All would contribute both to a better quality of life and also to global peace and security. He expressed optimism that President Benigno Aquino III’s marching order of universal healthcare coverage among the poorest of the poor Filipinos will soon be realize in two or three years. He added that strengthening rural health units, tapping private sector cooperation, sustaining health outcomes, expanding membership of informal sectors and scaling-up information campaign of Philhealth are some of the strategies the Department of Health should adopt in order to attain its objective. Also in photo from left to right are Philhealth President Dr. Rey Aquino, World Health Organization Country Representative to the Philippines Dr. Soe Nyunt-U, WHO Health Care Financing Team Leader Dr. Dorjsuren Bayarsaikhan, and WHO Health Sector Development Director Dr. Henk Bekedam.

source: www.doh.gov.ph

Regional Public Health Conference

Health Undersecretary Mario C. Villaverde, during the Regional Health Conference on Determinants of Health, underscoring the need for society to work together to address the problems of rapid urbanization and devise approaches to reduce inequities to access to good health. He added that social determinants like water and sanitation, transportation, mother and children’s health, climate change, nutrition and family size should be given priority in order to make headway and achieve better health for all.

source: www.doh.gov.ph

WORLD AIDS DAY 2010: “LIGHT FOR RIGHTS”

Press Release/1 December 2010

Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV continues to be a potent threat to the health of our countrymen. Countries across the globe are facing this dreaded disease and its disastrous effects on individuals, their families, the health care delivery system, and society in general.

Towards the end of 2008, an estimated total number of 33.4 million people were infected with HIV globally.

Locally, there are now a total of 5,729 HIV positive cases in the country. This represents less than one percent of our total population which means that the country is still on track to meet our MDG target of halting the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015.

Despite this, Secretary Ona warned against complacency. “Efforts should be intensified to prevent its spread,” according the Health Secretary.

Steady increases in the number of cases have been reported over the years. Twenty-two percent (22%) of all cases were recorded this year alone. This is primarily driven by risky behaviours which includes unprotected sex, among others. In every ten (10) HIV infections reported in the country, nine were acquired through unprotected sex. About of half of these infections were in men having sex with men.

“Risky behaviours are fuelled by lack of awareness on HIV,” declared Secretary Ona as he emphasized the importance of focusing information and education campaigns on the most at risk populations (MARP). He also said that there is a need to inform people about the social impact of HIV/AIDS to correct the negative attitudes, biases, and stigma heavily associated with the disease.

Likewise, he stressed the importance of supporting the needs of people of living with HIV (PLHIV). At present, a total of 1,153 people living with HIV are currently on Anti-Retroviral treatment in the government’s 13 treatment hubs. These, together with the medical and social services are given for free.

This is in keeping with our celebration of World AIDS Day aptly themed, “Light for Rights.” As health is a fundamental right, it is essential that every human being has access to accurate and appropriate information on HIV/AIDS, preventive services to halt its spread, and adequate treatment to fight the disease.

“Let us all be beacons of light in the face of darkness that it is HIV/AIDS,” concluded the Health Chief.

source: www.doh.gov.ph

P-NOY’S PRIORITY: HOSPITAL DEVELOPMENT

Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona on Wednesday, November 17, arrived by a helicopter to Mati City, Davao Oriental to witness the blessing and inauguration of the New Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital. The Health chief personally handed-over to Davao Oriental Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon a check amounting to almost a million as augmentation for the provincial hospital’s development plan. The visit is part of Pnoy’s commitment to improve all government health facilities whether it is DOH-retained or devolved to the local government units.

source: www.doh.gov.ph