DOH RELEASES HEALTH ADVISORY AS EL NINO’S EFFECTS FELT

From: DOH WebPage


Press Release/ 19 February 2010

The Department of Health’s National Center for Health Promotion (NCHP) and National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC) recently released a health advisory to the public as the country begins to feel the effects of El Nino.

The El Nino phenomenon is characterized by extreme climactic conditions – either extreme temperature rise with a little rainfall, and the opposite extreme, unusually heavy rainfall. The former condition is what the Philippines is currently experiencing. “This extremely hot weather carries with it its own effects on health, so we came out with an advisory to inform the public about the potential health risks, and what they can do to safeguard themselves,” Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral said.

Potential health risks brought by the onset of El Nino include diarrhea, cholera and skin diseases (due to water scarcity or shortage), paralytic shellfish poisoning (due to red tide blooms), heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke (due to high temperatures). The DOH advises the public to do the following, among other precautions: conserve water and protect it from contamination, drink more fluids, avoid strenuous physical activities, wear light clothing and listen to updates on shellfish bans.

The DOH also has a health advisory for the upcoming summer season, which has added information on disorders usually associated with the summer months such as sunburn, sore eyes, flu, chickenpox, measles and hypertension. “For many Filipinos, summer is a time for fun and festivities, but they must always remember to put their health on top of their priorities,” Cabral further added.

FREE CONDOMS A PART OF ANTI-HIV/AIDS CAMPAIGN

From: DOH WebPage

Press Release/16 February 2010

The Department of Health (DOH) clarified today that the condoms given last Valentine’s weekend were not meant to promote artificial contraception, but rather a reminder to the public of the importance of responsible sexual behavior in combating the threat of HIV/AIDS. The Ingat Lagi, My Valentine campaign, which was held last February 13 at the Dangwa Flower Market in Manila, has received criticism from the Catholic Church for supposedly being “immoral”.

The DOH, reiterating the words of Deputy Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo, explained that the condom distribution should not be construed as a signal that the government is advocating sexual licentiousness. The free condoms were just a tool of a creative campaign aimed at promoting awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention at a most opportune time – Valentine’s Day.

The DOH emphasized the fact that it was not pushing condom use as the exclusive method to combat HIV/AIDS, as some critics of the Ingat Lagi campaign accused, and defended the activity as just part of the three-point campaign to combat HIV/AIDS known by the acronym ABC – A for “abstinence from sex”, B for “be faithful to your partner” and C for “condom use”. The health agency also pointed out that the distribution of the condoms to adults was undertaken by a private merchandising firm, DKT, and that the government did not spend for the procurement of the condoms, as it was also DKT that supplied them. The DOH’s role in the campaign was focused on raising public awareness and information dissemination, as it employed counselors to explain the ABC campaign to the throng of people that crowded Dangwa last Saturday.

The DOH further said that it will continue to push the ABC program more aggressively in light of reports of the alarming increase in HIV/AIDS cases in the country, so as to empower the public with information on how to deal with this threat. This information will then allow individuals to choose and use the most appropriate means to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS.

CABRAL ADVOCATES 100% SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACES

From: DOH WebPage

Health Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral reminds government employees and the general public transacting business with government that smoking is prohibited in government buildings, grounds and premises.

In places providing services relating to health and youth activity, such as hospitals, health centers, schools, universities and colleges, smoking is absolutely prohibited and “smoking areas” are not allowed.

Except for places where smoking is absolutely prohibited, smoking is allowed only in designated and marked outdoor smoking areas that are located in an open-space with no permanent or temporary roof or walls and 10 meters away from entrances, exits or any place where people pass or congregate. Smoking Area signages must also be highly visible and prominently displayed.

Cabral said that these provisions are stipulated under Civil Service Commission’s Memorandum Circular No. 17, series of 2009. Any complaints filed by co-workers or the public will be investigated and violators will be subjected to disciplinary action.

The policy is designed to promote safe and healthy workplaces and to protect government workers from secondhand smoke, which can cause life-threatening diseases. Secondhand smoke is the smoke that comes from the tip of a burning cigarette, pipe or cigar and when a smoker exhales.

Conclusive scientific evidence confirms that workers exposed to secondhand smoke have a 35-50% increased risk of heart disease. Constant exposure to secondhand smoke nearly doubles the risk of a heart attack. Moreover, workers exposed to secondhand smoke at work have a 25% elevated risk of lung cancer.

The effects of secondhand smoke on lung function are similar to smoking a few sticks a day. It can cause emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma attacks.

Cabral said that seven (7) out of every 10 smokers want to quit smoking, and smoke-free policies can help smokers quit successfully by reducing environmental triggers and not allowing smoking to be the norm.

According to the Social Weather Station Survey of Filipinos on Smoking, commissioned by the Department of Health’s “Bloomberg Initiative-Philippines OC-400 Project,” which was done in the last quarter of 2009, about 27% of Filipinos are current smokers. The proportion of smokers is similar in Luzon and Visayas, but slightly higher in Mindanao (30%). The percentage of smokers in rural areas is pegged at 28% while in urban areas it is 27%.

By income class, more smokers are found in the Class E at 31% followed by Class D at 26% and Class ABC with only 21%. By sex, 46% of males and 8% of females smoke. By age, 30% of smokers belong to the 35 to 44 years old age bracket. This is followed by 18 to 24 years old where 26% smoke, and by age 55 years or older, it is down to 22%. By educational attainment, only 20% of those who completed college education smoke, while up to 32% of those with no formal education smoke.

The SWS Study also revealed that only 57% of Filipinos said that they have never smoked before. The average consumption is similar across all areas at 11 sticks per day.

The majority of the respondents are aware of tobacco regulation laws in the country and that 74% of Filipinos recognize the health benefit from laws enforcing smoke-free areas. Opposition to secondhand smoke is pegged at 93% nationwide, strongest in Visayas (95%) and Luzon (92%) and weakest in Mindanao (91%).

Cabral noted that the campaign of government and anti-tobacco advocates on 100% smoke-free environments is gaining momentum as many Filipinos are against exposure to secondhand smoke.

“Speak up, non-smokers! Let smokers around you know that you mind,” Cabral concluded.

BREAST OVERTAKES LUNG AS NO. 1 CANCER SITE IN METRO MANILA AND RIZAL

From: DOH Webpage

In a joint announcement by Department of Health (DOH) secretary Esperanza I. Cabral and Philippine Cancer Society, Inc. (PCSI) chairman Dr. Roberto M. Paterno, breast cancer is now the most common cancer site in terms of incidence in Metro Manila and Rizal and has surpassed lung cancer as the most prevalent cancer.

“This is significant as far as the DOH cancer control program and the PCS advocacy for prevention and early detection as we need to intensify efforts to save our women from this deadly disease,” said Sec. Cabral during the recently-held formal turnover ceremonies of the publication, “Cancer in the Philippines,” as part of the celebration of World Cancer Day (February 4).

For his part, Dr. Paterno said that the Society will enhance its free mammography services and fine needle aspiration biopsy to accommodate more indigent patients. “We shall also boost our education and information activities around the country to teach women on how to early detect breast cancer so that it can be successfully cured,” Paterno added.

Unfortunately, there is no effective detection method for lung cancer. It is usually diagnosed at an incurable stage. Still, lung cancer can be prevented by avoiding tobacco products.

Also, according to the cancer monograph, the top ten cancer sites for both sexes now stands at breast, lung, liver, cervix, colon, thyroid, rectum, ovary, prostate and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. In men, the five common cancer sites are lung, liver, prostate, colon and rectum while for females, these are breast, cervix, ovary, thyroid and lung.

These rankings cover the period 1998-2002 and validated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The IARC collects cancer incidence and mortality data from participating countries during five-year periods.

The PCS is a non-stock, non-profit organization with more than fifty years of service in cancer research, education and information for prevention and early detection, patient services, palliative treatment and hospice care. The Society also maintains a free consultation and referral clinic every Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. at its main office at 310 San Rafael St., San Miguel, Manila. Other cancer information can be seen at .

FREE MORPHINE FOR INDIGENT CANCER PATIENTS

From: DOH WebPage

Pain management is one of the most important aspects of health care especially for those with chronic or terminal illnesses yet scores of Filipino patients are suffering from pain unnecessarily due to lack of accessibility and availability of opioid medicines such as morphine.

Although eliminating pain is clinically possible as there are a number of safe and effective methods that treat pain such as opioid analgesics (i.e. morphine), it is often left untreated because access to these controlled medications is a problem for many. Impediments in regulation, procurement, and knowledge and attitude on opioids often pose obstacles in the adequate use of these drugs for medical purposes.

The Technical Working Group (TWG) for the Accessibility and Availability of Opioid for Pain and Palliative Care is a multidisciplinary, multisectoral group that facilitates and advocates for policies that improve accessibility and availability of opioid analgesics for pain and palliative care in the country created in April 2008. With the primary objective of breaking the barriers and other misconceptions about opioids, and in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and other partner agencies, the TWG has initiated and implemented activities for opioid accessibility and availability in the past years.

PHILIPPINE HUMANITARIAN TEAM BUCKLES DOWN

From: DOH WebPage

Press Release/3 February 2010

The 21-man Philippine Humanitarian Team sent by the Department of Health (DOH) hit the ground running upon their arrival in quake-devastated Haiti, as they immediately rendered badly-needed medical services at two locations in the capital Port-au-Prince, Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral reported today.

Cabral disclosed that after consultation with the Health Cluster coordinator, Dr. Dana Van Alphen, the team chose to serve at the Hospitalier Eliazar Germain, a 45-bed facility one-and-a-half hours away from the United Nations base where the team had set up camp. The Philippine humanitarian team replaced the Miami Medical Mission, which had been managing the hospital until they pulled out last January 30. There the team performed debridement and other surgical procedures for wounded patients.

Part of the team also rendered medical services at the Stade Sylvio Cator, a nearby football stadium turned into an evacuation camp. The group provided rapid health assessment and performed surgeries and wound dressing. The psychosocial team, on the other hand, was prepared to provide stress debriefing to UN peacekeeping personnel, including Filipinos, with UN base psychiatrist Dr. Yousupha Niang. They also visited four areas where Filipinos affected by the earthquake had temporarily settled in tents to provide mental and psychosocial support.

“Our team has performed admirably and was able to provide excellent service to the victims of the earthquake, Filipinos and Haitians alike,” Cabral concluded.

PGMA SENDS OFF PHILIPPINE MEDICAL TEAM TO HAITI; SECOND BATCH TO BE DEPLOYED

From: DOH WebPage

Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanked the 21-man Philippine humanitarian team bound for Haiti in the send-off ceremony in Malacanang yesterday. President Arroyo noted that the filipinos had been the beneficiary of the international commuity's generosity during Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, and the sending of the medical team to Haiti was a way through which the country could give back.

Health Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral disclosed that a second team, composed mostly of psychosocial nurses and sanitary engineers, will be sent to Haiti within the next two weeks. Cabral also acknowledged Haiti's Honorary Consul to the Philippines, Mr. George Schulze, who was instrumental in facilitating the issuance of visas to the entire Philippine humanitarian team.

The first batch of Filipino humanitarian workers are composed of team leader Dr. Emmanuel Bueno, Drs. Arnel Rivera, Glomar Malana, Ryan Conrad Carnero, Edilbert Tamayo, Alexander Ramos, Romeo BItuin, Christian Lee, Jose Evan Pagunsan, Dave Mendoza, Rolando Cruz and Rammel Martinez, Nurses Celia Pangan, Dennis de Guzman, Cesar Castro, Willy Veloria and Mayo Santiago, Sanitary Engineers William Sabater and Paulino Refuerzo Padilla, and Psychosocial Nurses Remedios Guerrero and Bernarden De Leon.