Wednesday, September 29, 2010

DOH GEARS UP FOR LOCAL BREASTFEEDING CAMPAIGN

Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona reminds the public about the importance of breastfeeding within the first hour of life and called on health facilities providing healthcare for pregnant women, new mothers and newborns to follow the Ten Steps To Successful Breastfeeding.

During the ‘Breastfeeding Awareness Week’ held at the St. Luke’s Medical Center, Health Assistant Secretary Elmer Punzalan commended the participation of the SLMC as among the first private health facilities to respond to the DOH’s call to implement the Ten Steps To Successful Breastfeeding.

Globally, the Philippines is one of 33 countries that have completed the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative. There are some 40 countries undergoing training towards completing the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative.

Presently, about 28% of all maternity facilities in the world have implemented the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. This has contributed to an encouraging increase in breastfeeding rates despite aggressive commercial promotion of infant formula and baby bottles.

The Ten Steps To Successful Breastfeeding are as follows: 1) Have a written breastfeeding policy that is communicated routinely to all healthcare staff; 2) Train all health-care staff in the skills necessary to implement the policy; 3) Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding; 4) Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within the first 30 minutes of life; 5) Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation even if separated from their infants; 6) Give newborn infants no food or drink other than human milk unless medically-indicated; 7) Practice rooming- in. Allow mothers and infants to stay together 24 hours a day; 8) Encourage breastfeeding on demand; 9) Give no artificial teats or pacifiers; and 10) Foster establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers on discharge from hospital or clinic.

Source: www.doh.gov.ph

DOH-CSC MOA on BOTIKA PARA SA TAUMBAYAN

The Department of Health, represented by Secretary Enrique Ona, and the Civil Service Commission, represented by Chairman Francisco T. Duque III recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) wherein the CSC shall be granted a seed fund of P15 million worth of medicines. This seed fund shall be distributed to 300 government agencies identified by the CSC wherein each agency will be given P50,000 each worth of medicines and establish a “Botika Para sa Taumbayan”. Said MOA shall broaden the base of beneficiaries of low-cost medicines and ensure access to affordable quality medicines for all. Also in photo is Health Undersecretary Alexander Padilla.

Source: www.doh.gov.ph

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Nationwide Philhealth Registration Day

PhilHealth Sabado (October 2, 2010) is the start of a continuing advocacy program to increase awareness and knowledge of every Filipino on the importance of becoming a PhilHealth member that will ensure access to quality health services to the member and his/her dependents.

The program intends the registration of non-member informal sector under the individually paying program (IPP). It also provides for an opportunity to automatically register and distribute PhilHealth cards to about 800,000 indigents identified in the National Household Targeting System (NHTS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

PhilHealth Sabado fullfill universal health insurance coverage within three years as promised in the first State of the Nation Address of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

1. Paraan ng Pagpaparehistro
2. Paraan ng Paggamit
- Sponsored Program Members
- Individually Paying Members
3. Alamin ang Inyong Benepisyo
4. Frequently Asked Questions

PRESENTATIONS

1. National Philhealth Registration Day
2. National Philhealth Registration Day - Communication Plan
3. Dry-Run of the National Philhealth Registration Day
4. NPRD Joint Agreement

source: www.doh.gov.ph

D.E.N.G.U.E. LAUNCHING AT MALACAÑANG

The Department of Health‘s anti-dengue team headed by Secretary Enrique T. Ona recently met with the Malacañang communication chiefs led by Atty. Edwin Lacierda and Manuel L. Quezon III to find solution to the worsening problem of dengue cases in the country . The health chief, together with dengue experts Dr. Enrique Tayag, Dr. Lyndon Leesuy, and Dr. Vito Roque, talk about the technical characteristic and descriptions of the virus and what measures the health department is doing to control the rapid spread of the dreaded disease. The team also launched the new DOH’s strategy aptly called D.E.N.G.U.E, where D-daily monitoring of patients, E-encourage oral intake of fluids, N-note any dengue warning signs likes bleeding, G-give paracetamol, not aspirin, U-use mosquito nets, and E-early consultation. Also present during the meeting are Dr. Melisa Guerrero , Dr. Willie Ong, Dr. Joseph Lachica and the Media Relations Unit of DOH- Office of the Secretary.

source: www.doh.gov.ph

Friday, September 10, 2010

D.E.N.G.U.E. STRATEGY DOWN TO THE COMMUNITY

Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona recently visited People’s Health Center in Barangay Hulo in Mandaluyong City to personally assess the capabilities of healthcare providers to handle dengue cases at health centers, as well as check their supplies. Ona earlier stressed, during a press conference, that not all dengue cases will require hospitalization. He said that parents and caregivers should practice the DOH’s D.E.N.G.U.E strategy, where D-daily monitoring of patients, E-encourage oral intake of fluids, N-note any dengue warning signs like bleeding, G-give paracetamol, not aspirin, U-use mosquito nets, and E-early consultation.

source: www.doh.gov.ph

DOH ATTENDING TO DENGUE PATIENTS, BUT LGUs URGED TO DOUBLE EFFORTS – SECRETARY ONA

Press Release/7 September 2010

The Department of Health (DOH) today encouraged the public to maximize their health centers for consultations before bringing their patient to the hospital in an effort to declog public hospitals of long queues in the dengue express lane.

“Many dengue cases, if mild, can be managed at home or closely monitored by our local health staff in the communities. Not all dengue cases require hospitalization”, Health Secretary Enrique Ona emphasized even as he cited San Lazaro Hospital’s average of 500 consultations a day with only 30 admitted as dengue cases.

Ona emphasized that the number of new cases has been going down since August except in some cities of Metro Manila. Dengue peaks during the rainy months, particularly during the month of August.

The DOH disclosed that the number of cases nationwide from January to August 28 now totals 69,594.

This figure is 99% higher than last year’s 34,997 for the same period. There were 501 deaths recorded this year. Last year, there were 369 deaths. The case fatality rate for dengue is lower at 0.74 compared to 1.1 in the same period last year

Secretary Ona meanwhile cautioned local health authorities and the public not to let down their guard against dengue although cases are expected to further go down. He called on all local government officials to remain vigilant and make sure that that their health centers and hospitals are also ready to manage consultations for dengue and other diseases that occur during the rainy season such as influenza, bronchitis, diarrheas and leptospirosis.

DOH recently devised a new D.E.N.G.U.E. strategy to educate the public on home treatment of mild dengue cases. This is to also help decongest hospitals by giving an assurance that not all dengue cases require hospital confinement but can be managed at home using the said strategy.

“Instead of confining patients in a hospital facility, parents and caregivers can practice the D.E.N.G.U.E. strategy. D.E.N.G.U.E. stands for D - daily monitoring of patient’s status, E - encourage intake of oral fluids like oresol, water, juices, etc, N – note any dengue warning signs like persistent vomiting and bleeding, G – give paracetamol for fever and NOT aspirin, because aspirin induces bleeding, U – use mosquito nets and E – early consultation is advised for any warning signs”, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said.

Ona advised the public to go straight to the emergency room if they exhibit dengue warning signs. Warning signs include severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting, red spots or patches on the skin, signs of bleeding, black stools, drowsiness or decreased consciousness, difficulty of breathing, and pale or cold clammy skin.

Ona has already issued an order to all DOH hospitals to activate their Dengue express lanes to facilitate patient admission for these severe dengue cases. Ona also appealed to chiefs of public and private hospitals to set up additional wards and beds for dengue patients needing confinement.

“Aside from these steps, I has also directed our DOH officials to temporarily suspend all out of town seminars and trainings which involve our local health providers so that they can attend more to dengue cases,” Ona said.

DOH reiterates that the most effective way to prevent and fight dengue is still by practicing the DOH’s 4-S strategy consisting of Search and destroy, Self-protective measures, Seek early treatment and Say no to indiscriminate fogging.

“We are reiterating our call to all local government units (LGUs) to mobilize barangay dengue brigades in their areas such as what is being done in Quezon City and Zamboanga City,” Ona said, adding that a once-a-week community-wide clean up drives against dengue will help a lot in reducing cases.

Measures include emptying of all exposed containers and vases, old tires, coconut husks, and plants of stagnant waters. Abandoned lots, houses and establishments should also be included in the search-and-destroy operations because these may have possible mosquito breeding sites.

Ona also recognized the efforts of other government agencies to combat dengue such as the initiative of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to conduct fogging activities in public schools of Metro Manila where clustering of dengue cases have been reported. He also thanked the Department of Education (DepEd) for including dengue awareness campaigns in their wellness programs in all public schools nationwide.

source: www.doh.gov.ph

Friday, September 3, 2010

ANTI-DENGUE CAMPAIGN IN LRT

Health Secretary Enrique Ona explains to a young boy the Department of Health’s 4-S strategy against dengue because the population most affected by the disease are the 1-10 years age group. The DOH’s 4-S campaign includes Search and destroy all mosquito breeding sites, Seek early consultation once dengue is suspected, wear Self-protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites, and Say no to indiscriminate fogging, because there are certain conditions that should be observed during fogging operation. Assisting Secretary Ona is Light Railway Transit Authority Division Chief Mr. Joseph Hagos. From January to August 21 this year, dengue cases nationwide reached 62,503 with 465 deaths.

Source: www.doh.gov.ph

PNOY and Chairman Duque Message on 110th CSC Anniversary

Thursday, September 2, 2010

LAUNCHES ‘D.E.N.G.U.E.’ STRATEGY

Press Release/1 September 2010

The Department of Health (DOH) today assured that many dengue cases, if mild, can be managed at home and not all cases require hospitalization even as the number of cases nationwide from January to August 21 now rose to 62,503.

This figure is 88.8% higher than last year’s 33,102 for the same period. There were 465 deaths recorded this year. Last year, there were 350 deaths.

“Instead of confining patients in a hospital facility, parents and caregivers can practice the D.E.N.G.U.E. strategy. D.E.N.G.U.E. stands for D - daily monitoring of patient’s status, E - encourage intake of oral fluids like oresol, water, juices, etc, N – note any dengue warning signs like persistent vomiting and bleeding, G – give paracetamol for fever and NOT aspirin, because aspirin induces bleeding, U – use mosquito nets and E – early consultation is advised for any warning signs”, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said.

The new D.E.N.G.U.E. strategy has been devised by the DOH to educate the public on home treatment of mild dengue cases. This is to also help decongest hospitals by giving an assurance that not all dengue cases require hospital confinement but can be managed at home using the said strategy.

Ona also reiterated that the most effective way to prevent and fight dengue is still by practicing the DOH’s 4-S strategy consisting of Search and destroy, Self-protective measures, Seek early treatment and Say no to indiscriminate fogging.

“We are urging all local government units to mobilize barangay dengue brigades in their areas,” Ona explained, adding that a once-a-week community-wide clean up drives against dengue will help a lot in reducing cases. Measures include emptying of all exposed containers and vases, old tires, coconut husks, and plants of stagnant waters. Abandoned lots, houses and establishments should also be included in the search-and-destroy operations because these may have possible mosquito breeding sites.

Ona revealed that most of the cases came from Western Visayas (16.1%), CaLaBarzon (10.9%), Central Mindanao (10.5%), Eastern Visayas (9.2%), National Capital Region (8.9%), Southern Mindanao (8.1%) and Northern Mindanao (7.4%).

Ages of cases ranged from 1 month to 95 years old. Majority (52%) of the cases were male. The most affected age group were the 1-10 years while there were more deaths recorded in the less than one year age group and the 1-10 years age group).

Ona disclosed that outbreaks were detected in Roxas City and Iloilo City in Region VI and Zamboanga City in Region IX.

The health chief explained that a hotspot is defined as clustering of cases with increasing number in the past four weeks. Hotspots were observed in the several barangays in the following areas: Lipa City and San Jose in Batangas (Region 4A); Puerto Princesa City in Palawan (Region 4B); Kalibo, Aklan (Region VI); Tagbilaran City, Bohol (Region VII); Pudtol, Apayao (CAR) and ; Kalookan and Valenzuela in NCR.

On the other hand, clustering of cases occur when there are three or more cases in a barangay in the past four weeks. Clustering of cases was noted in many areas in different Regions of the country.

At the National Capital Region, most of the cases were reported from Quezon City.

“The increase in dengue cases can be attributed to the presence of four different strains of the dengue virus circulating in the country today, plus the fact that the country is experiencing the El Niño phenomenon,” Ona elaborated, adding that continuous rains is also responsible for the upsurge in cases.

To more strongly respond to the increasing number of dengue cases, the DOH has ramped up efforts in its public education and information campaign to schools and barangays since July in coordination with its regional health offices and other concerned government agencies such as the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Secretary Ona has also reiterated the directive to activate all dengue express lanes in DOH and to network with regional and provincial blood centers where patients can access safe and clean blood for transfusion in severe cases.

“There is still no cure or vaccine for dengue and that is why we must focus on other cost-effective interventions, the most important of which is source reduction --- destroy the dengue-carrying mosquitoes,” Ona emphasized.

The health department is currently looking into other potential strategies to combat dengue such as the use of vaccines against all four dengue strains, the genetic modification of the Aedes mosquitoes which will render them less active in biting victims and even local alternatives such as the use of “Tawa-tawa”, a local herb that is being investigated for its curative properties against dengue.

“We are on the lookout for the emerging science and trends concerning dengue which can help us to more effectively fight the disease in the future,” says Ona. “Meanwhile, we are doing everything we can to arm the public with information and respond to the medical needs of victims given the tools that are currently available to us,” he added.

Ona reminded the public that dengue, although an all-year round disease, is more common during rainy days when there are more potential breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. To prevent dengue, Ona advised the public to destroy all possible mosquito breeding sites like old tires, softdrink bottles and tin cans, and use mosquito nets or protective clothing. He also stressed that fogging may be done only in outbreak areas.

Source: www.doh.gov.ph

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

ONA & KRIS VS AEDES

Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona and Presidential sister Kris Aquino smashing the Aedes Aegypti mascot to show schoolchildren of Rosa Susano Elementary School in Novaliches, Quezon City that dengue can be defeated through correct information on how to prevent the disease. Secretary Ona also stressed the important role of media in conveying timely and correct messages to the public at the same time appreciated media’s help in the Department of Health’s campaign against dengue. Latest DOH record reveals that dengue cases as of August 14 now reached 54,659 with 429 deaths.

source: www.doh.gov.ph

YOU & ME & MOMMY

We all support our breastfeeding mommies

Health Assistant Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial, during the breastfeeding press conference dubbed as “You, Me and Mommy” in support of breastfeeding mothers, stressing the need to revive the breastfeeding culture in the country as a child survival strategy to reduce infant mortality and improve the health status of every Filipino child. Ubial also urged all hospitals to become Mother-Baby Friendly in order to promote and sustain the breastfeeding practice. Also in photo from left to right are UNICEF Representative Vanessa Tobin, World Health Organization Country Representative Dr. Soe Nyunt-U and Ms. Nuriza Abeja, founder of Beauty, Brains, and Breastfeeding.

Source: www.doh.gov.ph

DOH, DepEd STARTS DENGUE SCHOOL CAMPAIGN

24 August 2010

The Department of Health and Department of Education today started the series of elementary school visits in Rizal Elementary School in Manila in order to inform children on the prevention of dengue and its signs and symptoms.

As of August 14, a total of 54,659 dengue cases were reported nationwide. This figure is 74.9% higher for the same period last year. There were 429 deaths recorded.

“Dengue is a disease more common during rainy season and affects mostly (77%) the 1-20 years age group,” Health Secretary Enrique Ona explained.

Source: www.doh.gov.ph