PNAC TO HOLD 2010 NATIONAL HIV SUMMIT

From: DOH WebPage

With increasing cases of HIV seen and reported especially in the last three years in the Philippines, it has now become imperative for the government to conduct an HIV Summit to urge leaders from all sectors of society to jointly scale-up a national response to address the disease.

“It is very timely and appropriate that we hold a one-day National HIV Summit in order to inform leaders on the current state of HIV in the Philippines and the need for urgent action towards meeting the Millennium Development Goal 6, particularly Target 9 on HIV and AIDS,” Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral announced.

The said National HIV Summit, to be held on April 12 at the Manila Diamond Hotel, aims for a wide multi-sectoral representation from civil society, national and local government, private businesses, faith-based groups, development partners, academe, and media. It will present an intensified National HIV Program and come up with a national coordinated response on how everyone can work together to prevent the further spread of HIV and AIDS.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Austere Panadero will present a framework of the response, coverage of programmes, gaps in coverage, financing and fulfillment of provisions in R.A. 8504, otherwise known as the ‘Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998.’ On the other hand, Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Alicia Bala will discuss the Agenda for a Scaled-Up National Response, which shall lay down key actions and intended results for a national response including how much to mobilize for highest impact. A multisectoral workshop will also be facilitated by seasoned Consultant for development Mr. Mario Taguiwalo in the afternoon.

Cabral stressed that the Summit shall be a venue in providing information to stakeholders and leaders on the status of the HIV epidemic in the country, current national responses and the agenda for more intensified interventions. It will also serve as a venue to build and strengthen collaborations amongst key players in the national response and to meaningfully engage other players in the realization of harmonized, collaborative and scaled-up initiatives addressing the challenges of HIV and AIDS in the country. Towards the end of the program, the Summit envisions an alliance: partnerships renewed and new partnerships established.

Also, to promote a deeper appreciation of the HIV situation by attendees, poster exhibits shall be conducted side by side with the Summit. Delegates shall be given the opportunity to go through viewing posters that showcase good practices in the response to HIV and AIDS. SM-ZOTO and PUP Molave Theatre Guild will also present special performances about the lives of people living with HIV and related issues.

Other program highlights include a presentation of the national state of HIV and AIDS and the projected increase of the HIV burden by National Epidemiology Center Director Dr. Eric Tayag and a presentation by the Deputy Director of Disease Control and Head of the AIDS/STD Section of the Ministry of Health, Malaysia – Dr. Sha’ari Bin Ngadiman on the strategies in addressing the epidemic as implemented by neighbor countries.

The Summit will be open to media. Philippine National AIDS Council Chair Esperanza Cabral shall respond to workshop reports, including setting the roadmap for the response.

WORKSHOP ON MANAGING PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES AND PANDEMICS USING THE INCIDENTS COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS)

From: DOH WebPage

Participants to the ASEAN Workshop on Managing Public Health Emergencies and Pandemics Using the Incidents Command System (ICS), led by National Center for Disease Prevention and Control Director Dr. Eduardo Janairo, recently met to construct a regional overview of achievements and gaps in the use of ICS in managing public health emergencies. The said workshop also aims to develop common understanding and highlight the importance of ICS for muliti-sectoral response, especially in facilitating continuity of operations and services during a severe pandemic.

HEALTH WORKERS SOON TO BE VACCINATED VS H1N1 VIRUS – DOH

From: DOH WebPage

Press Release/21 April 2010

The Department of Health (DOH) announced today that health workers all over the country will be vaccinated against the A(H1N1) virus during the latter part of April as part of the country’s response to the pandemic.

“Our frontline health workers are at higher risk for getting the disease than ordinary people due to their larger probability of exposure. In addition, they may also transmit the infection to other patients, as well as their families and co-workers, so it is appropriate that they be given priority now that the vaccines are ready for deployment”, Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral said.

The Health Chief noted that more than 420,000 health workers at the national and local levels and the public and private sectors will benefit from the vaccine. The 1.9 million doses of the vaccine arrived during the last week of March and are being shipped to the different regions of the country. Health workers from the regional health offices and local government units have been oriented prior to the distribution of the vaccine.

The vaccines represent the first tranche of the promised 9 million doses by the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of an agreement with the Philippine government signed on November 25 last year.

The endowment, according to WHO Director General Margaret Chan, is part of the WHO’s pledge to make distribution more equitable and fair to protect poor and vulnerable populations in developing countries’.

The WHO made its commitment during the 60th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in September last year where it said that donations from developed countries and pharmaceuticals are enough to cover 10% of the population of the developing world. WHO requested the Philippine government to authorize the use of these vaccines.

Cabral said that next in the priority list for vaccination are about 2.5 million pregnant women. Subsequent shipments will be given to other priority groups such as children six months to five years old, those 60 years old and above, and those with chronic medical conditions.

TURKISH FLOUR SAMPLES UNDERGOING STRINGENT ANALYSIS - DOH

From: DOH WebPage

Press Release/6 April 2010

The Department of Health (DOH) disclosed today that samples of flour imported from Turkey are undergoing stringent analysis by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following media reports that these are potentially harmful to the health of consumers.

It was recently reported that substandard flour from Turkey that contain toxic substances are being dumped in the Philippines and used to make food products such as noodles and bread.

The DOH, through the FDA’s Laboratory Services Division, immediately moved to test samples for the presence of mycotoxins, particularly Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxin, using the Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain species of fungi.

Six samples from Central Visayas and the National Capital Region were collected from March 9-22 and underwent laboratory analysis on March 27. Five of the flour samples were imported from Turkey, while one was from a local source. Initial results revealed that none of the samples had concentrations of Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxin above the allowable limit. Despite these initial findings however, the FDA will conduct more thorough tests using the High Performance Liquid Chromatography Method (HPLC) the results of which will be released soon.

Meanwhile, representatives from manufacturers of Turkish flour being imported into the Philippines arrived in the country on March 26 to assure FDA officials that their products are fit for human consumption. The manufacturers also promised to submit a special certification from the Turkish government that their flour is safe, adding that Turkish flour is routinely tested for the presence of toxic substances by the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs before being exported to other countries.

“We would like reassure the public that the DOH is on top of the situation”, said Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral. “If and when it is proven that Turkish flour is indeed unsafe, they can expect us to take immediate and decisive action”, she further added.

CABRAL GETS SUPPORT ON CONDOM DISTRIBUTION

From: DOH WebPage


Amid strong rejection from Philippine clergies, non-government organization Catholics for Choice recently offered their group’s support and encouraged Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral on her condom distribution efforts.

Catholics for Choice President Jon O’ Brien remarked that Cabral’s efforts will undoubtedly save lives as we confront the HIV and AIDS epidemic. He added that Cabral’s stance on the effectiveness of condom and her willingness to debate the bishops is not only making news internationally, but is also highlighting the Catholic hierarchy’s inappropriate interference in public policy.

O’ Brien describes Cabral’s willingness to remind people on the importance of condoms to protect their health and to save lives as a gesture of genuine concern. He added that it recognizes people’s ability to choose for themselves when it comes to issues affecting their health. It is also a position supported by Catholic social justice teaching and Catholics around the world.

During the observance of the 2001 World AIDS Day, Catholics for Choice launched a campaign in the United States, Mexico, South Africa, Kenya, Chile, Zimbabwe and the Philippines dubbed as ‘Condoms4Life’. The said advertising campaign was the first phase of an effort to change the Vatican’s policy and challenge its aggressive lobbying against availability and access to condoms in the most-at-risk areas of the world. It is also aimed at raising public awareness on the devastating effect of the bishops’ ban on condoms.

In 2007, Catholics for Choice conducted a survey in the Philippines which showed that 77% of Catholics believe in the life-saving effects of condoms and believe using condoms to prevent the spread of AIDS is pro-life.

A UNAIDS report drafted in 2003 concludes that condoms have an estimated 90% rate of protection. The 10% failure rate does not mean that 1 in 10 condoms is defective. Condom failure can be attributed to human error such as when a condom slips off, breaks or is not used early enough.

According to the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, condoms sometimes fail due to failure to use it consistently or correctly.

Also, the World Health Organization disclosed that laboratory studies have established the impermeability of the male latex condom to infectious agents contained in genital secretions, including the smallest viruses.

“As the world has changed, people have also changed. The attitudes on sex have also become more mature, responsible and compassionate,” Cabral explained.

Cabral stressed that the health department’s stand to use condom was meant to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases because anyone is vulnerable to infection.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER – DOH TO FAITH-BASED GROUPS

From: DOH WebPage

Let us stop the bickering. Let us work together because lives are at stake.

Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral recently asked clergies to refrain from ‘word war’ but instead focus in finding a solution acceptable to all in order to reduce the number of individuals infected with HIV/AIDS.
As the number of infected individuals increase from one infection every three days in 2000, to one per day in 2007, and two infections per day in 2009, the country cannot afford to lose a day in stopping the spread of infection. Presently, Global Fund pays for the cost of medicines of people living with HIV/AIDS and these medicines are free only until 2012.

In the beginning, HIV was reportedly brought by returning overseas workers. Today, figures indicate that the spread is also emphasized local transmission. And with the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, experts agree that only one in four cases of HIV infection are reported.

“The government cannot do this task alone of reducing and preventing infections. I am glad that faith-based organizations now have opened their doors to this calling of caring and providing support to those infected and affected,” Cabral said.
At the First Catholic Forum on HIV/AIDS, Fr. Bob Vitillo of the Roman Catholic Church, said that it is the people themselves who will decide what they will do and not society nor the Church. He added that it will be based on their moral perspective and value system. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of government and the Church to re-enforce the value system.

In fact, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-NASSA is planning a follow up to the First Catholic Forum on HIV/AIDS in order to train its network members for pastoral counseling and a seminar for those working in hospitals.

Brother Donald Cancino of the Order of Saint Camilus revealed that one of the mandates of their organization is for every region to become involved in HIV ministry. Brother Cancino said that after joining training workshops, they were finally allowed to do bedside visitations with patients at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and San Lazaro Hospital.

Their group also began training their own men and theologians and opened training programs to the Daughters of Charity, Good Shepherd Sisters, and Sisters of the Holy Spirit.

Also, faith-based organizations and government institutions have conducted education programs to help people who are afraid of undergoing HIV testing. Faith-based organizations observed that the problem with some government agencies is that they only play with the numbers and do not go deeply enough into the situation of infected people.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development also conducted activities focused on policy development, capability building and education, and providing treatment, care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

On the other hand, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for the years 2005-2008 provided technical assistance in the formulation of the AIDS Medium Term Plan IV. The NEDA also prepared the National AIDS Spending Assessment for the years 2000-2004 and 2005-2007 to track down amount of resources spent for HIV/AIDS in aid of planning.

The family and society's development is influenced by their faith to a major extent. The upcoming 2010 HIV Summit is at Manila Diamond Hotel on April 12, 2010; will deal with the current concerns of these sectors in the country. Several faithbased groups will attend to this event tp share their commitment and response to this epidemic.

DOH URGES INTEGRATION OF HIV/AIDS IN SCHOOL CURRICULA

From: DOH WebPage

Press Release/26 March 2010

In order to implement a more effective campaign against HIV and AIDS in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) strongly urged that information on the modes of transmission, prevention and control of this disease be integrated in the curricula of all institutions of learning. The country’s HIV and AIDS situation has reached alarming proportions as it is now described as “expanding and growing”, from the previous “low and slow” and “hidden and growing” phases.

Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral noted that risk behaviors are high among males who have sex with males (MSM), people in prostitution and people who inject drugs (PWID). This was reflected in the 2009 Integrated HIV Behavioral Serologic Surveillance results. These groups are considered the most-at-risk populations (MARPs), while young adults, overseas Filipino workers, persons with multiple sex partners, and partners of those in the MARPs are considered as vulnerable. “Education is a potent weapon in combating this disease, hence the integration in school curricula is vital”, Cabral stressed.

To address the present situation, the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have all integrated HIV/AIDS issues and concerns in their respective plans and activities. Local government units are assisted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in establishing Local AIDS Councils and launching AIDS awareness activities. The DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and DILG have also entered into a Joint Memorandum Circular to operationalize the Regional AIDS Assistance Teams that will provide technical assistance to HIV prevention and control activities of LGUs. People living with HIV or the “Positive Community: are also conducting HIV education initiatives and forming support groups to other HIV-positive Filipinos and their families. Among the organizations leading this effort are the Positive Action Foundation Philippines
Inc. (PAFPI), the PinoyPlus Association and BabaePlus Association.

Rule 2, Section 6 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 8504 or the National AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998 provides the rationale of HIV-related education and information campaigns. It indicates that “the provision of timely, adequate, appropriate and relevant HIV education and information shall empower persons and communities to think and act in ways that protect themselves from HIV infection, minimize the risk of HIV transmission and decrease the socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS”.