12 August 2010
source: www.doh.gov.ph
STATEMENT OF HEALTH SECRETARY DR. ENRIQUE T. ONA ON THE WHO DECLARATION OF THE INFLUENZA A (H1N1) POST-PANDEMIC PERIOD
The Department of Health (DOH) concurs with the recent announcement of WHO Director-General Margaret Chan that the world is now shifting toward the post-pandemic period of Influenza A (H1N1). The review of the current alert levels of the A (H1N1) pandemic by the WHO was in fact one of the recommendations during the ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting held in July this year.
As can be gleaned from the official WHO announcement, the post-pandemic phase means that the A (H1N1) virus has taken on a behavior and intensity similar to that of the regular seasonal flu viruses. It also means that we expect sustained community level transmission and localized outbreaks of A (H1N1) in the coming years.
In the country, similar to the rest of the world, all evidence indicates that the virus mostly causes mild symptoms that resolve even without antiviral treatment in the overwhelming majority of cases. There is also no indication of a change or mutation in the virus that would point to increased virulence or a change in the severity or character of the flu illness that it causes to patients.
In the Philippines, findings reveal that A (H1N1) remains to be the dominant strain with 49% of 11,904 specimens submitted to and analyzed by the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) testing positive for A (H1N1) 2009 (as of July 31, 2010). This is in contrast with the global situation described by the WHO as having a “mix of influenza viruses, typically seen during seasonal epidemics.”
With the shift toward the post-pandemic phase, let me assure everyone that the DOH will continue to monitor the situation and heed the advice of WHO to continue our early detection and surveillance activities and remain vigilant against the expected local outbreaks as part of the DOH Surveillance for influenza-like illnesses (ILI).
Our local experience in handling the A (H1N1) pandemic of 2009 has already proven the capacity of our government to respond to this emerging challenge especially in giving care to the minority of patients who may need treatment and care in our health facilities. In fact, our efforts have been commended by the WHO in terms of giving an adequate and efficient response; establishing effective collaboration between our government, the WHO and the international community; and in providing effective risk communication to the public since the beginning of the A (H1N1) pandemic.
We shall also intensify our vaccination strategy in targeting our health workers and high-risk groups which include pregnant women, the very young and the elderly, the immuno-compromised and those with chronic conditions (i.e. asthma, COPD, diabetes, cardiovascular disease).
Thus, I encourage our health workers and all our citizens who belong to these vulnerable groups to avail of the vaccines that we have already been providing for free in our local health facilities and DOH-managed hospitals since early this year. I also call on our hospitals and frontline healthcare providers to continue the effective management of our local cases following the clinical guidelines that the DOH has issued in 2009.
Friday, August 13, 2010
DENGUE NOW OVER THE 40,000 MARK, 48% HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR-DOH
Press Release/12 August 2010
Source: www.doh.gov.ph
The Department of Health (DOH) today reported that dengue cases nationwide now reach 40,648 from January to 31 July 2010. The figure is 48% higher than last year’s 27,473 for the same period. There were 328 deaths recorded this year with case fatality ratio (CFR) of 0.8%. Last year, there were 293 deaths (CFR at 1.1%).
Most of the cases came from Central Mindanao (5,259 cases), Western Visayas (4,511), Eastern Visayas (4,086), CALABARZON (4,034), Southern Mindanao (3,875), Northern Mindanao (3,603), and the National Capital Region (3,452).
Ages of cases ranged from less than a month to 95 years old. Majority (52%) of the cases were male. The most affected age group were the 1-10 years and the 11-20 years, while there were more deaths recorded in the less than one year age group and the 1-10 years age group.
Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona disclosed that outbreaks were detected in the municipality of Gasan in Marinduque and Barangay Banica, Lawaan in Roxas City, Capiz.
Hotspots were observed in Barangays Minoyan, Murcia, Carabalan, Aguisan in Himalayan City and Concepcion, Bubog in Negros Occidental; Barangays Bata, Singcang, Banago, Tangub, Taculing, Pahanocoy, Felisa, Villamonte and Mansilingan in Bacolod City; and Barangays Lanot, Malibili, Tiza, and Bolo in Roxas City. A hotspot is defined as clustering of cases with increasing number in the past four weeks. 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 were noted in the province of Ilocos Norte, La Union, and Ilocos Sur in Ilocos Region; Cagayan in Cagayan Valley; Zambales, Aurora, Tarlac, and Bulacan in Central Luzon; Rizal, Quezon, Laguna, and Batangas in CALABARZON; Marinduque, Palawan, and Mindoro Oriental in MIMAROPA; Albay. Masbate and Camarines Sur in Bicol Region; Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Iloilo City, Negros Occidental, and Bacolod City in Western Visayas; Bohol, Negros Oriental, Cebu in Central Visayas;
There were also clustering of cases in Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Leyte in Eastern Visayas; Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur in Western Visayas; Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao; Davao City, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental in Southern Mindanao; Sarangani Province, Cotabato City, General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, and South Cotabato in Central Mindanao; Lanao del Sur in the Autonomous Region of Moslem Mindanao; Baguio City, Mountain Provicne, Benguet anmd Apayao in the Cordillera Administrative Region; Agusan del Sur in CARAGA and Metro Manila at the National Capital Region (NCR).
At the National Capital Region, most of the cases are from Quezon City (754), Manila (606), Kalookan (372), Navotas (227), and Valenzuela (221). Other cities include Malabon (182), Mandaluyong (171), Marikina (165), Pasig (144), Pasay (126), Makati (119), and Parañaque (114).
“The increase in dengue cases can be attributable to the El Niño phenomenon the country is experiencing,” Ona said, adding that continuous rains will also be responsible.
The health chief reminded the public that dengue, although an all-year round disease, is more common during rainy days when there are more potential breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. To prevent dengue, Ona advised the public to destroy all mosquito breeding sites like old tires and tin cans, always clean roof gutters, replace water in flower vases regularly, use mosquito nets or protective clothing. He also stressed that fogging may be done only in outbreak areas.
Source: www.doh.gov.ph
The Department of Health (DOH) today reported that dengue cases nationwide now reach 40,648 from January to 31 July 2010. The figure is 48% higher than last year’s 27,473 for the same period. There were 328 deaths recorded this year with case fatality ratio (CFR) of 0.8%. Last year, there were 293 deaths (CFR at 1.1%).
Most of the cases came from Central Mindanao (5,259 cases), Western Visayas (4,511), Eastern Visayas (4,086), CALABARZON (4,034), Southern Mindanao (3,875), Northern Mindanao (3,603), and the National Capital Region (3,452).
Ages of cases ranged from less than a month to 95 years old. Majority (52%) of the cases were male. The most affected age group were the 1-10 years and the 11-20 years, while there were more deaths recorded in the less than one year age group and the 1-10 years age group.
Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona disclosed that outbreaks were detected in the municipality of Gasan in Marinduque and Barangay Banica, Lawaan in Roxas City, Capiz.
Hotspots were observed in Barangays Minoyan, Murcia, Carabalan, Aguisan in Himalayan City and Concepcion, Bubog in Negros Occidental; Barangays Bata, Singcang, Banago, Tangub, Taculing, Pahanocoy, Felisa, Villamonte and Mansilingan in Bacolod City; and Barangays Lanot, Malibili, Tiza, and Bolo in Roxas City. A hotspot is defined as clustering of cases with increasing number in the past four weeks. 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 were noted in the province of Ilocos Norte, La Union, and Ilocos Sur in Ilocos Region; Cagayan in Cagayan Valley; Zambales, Aurora, Tarlac, and Bulacan in Central Luzon; Rizal, Quezon, Laguna, and Batangas in CALABARZON; Marinduque, Palawan, and Mindoro Oriental in MIMAROPA; Albay. Masbate and Camarines Sur in Bicol Region; Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Iloilo City, Negros Occidental, and Bacolod City in Western Visayas; Bohol, Negros Oriental, Cebu in Central Visayas;
There were also clustering of cases in Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Leyte in Eastern Visayas; Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur in Western Visayas; Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao; Davao City, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental in Southern Mindanao; Sarangani Province, Cotabato City, General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, and South Cotabato in Central Mindanao; Lanao del Sur in the Autonomous Region of Moslem Mindanao; Baguio City, Mountain Provicne, Benguet anmd Apayao in the Cordillera Administrative Region; Agusan del Sur in CARAGA and Metro Manila at the National Capital Region (NCR).
At the National Capital Region, most of the cases are from Quezon City (754), Manila (606), Kalookan (372), Navotas (227), and Valenzuela (221). Other cities include Malabon (182), Mandaluyong (171), Marikina (165), Pasig (144), Pasay (126), Makati (119), and Parañaque (114).
“The increase in dengue cases can be attributable to the El Niño phenomenon the country is experiencing,” Ona said, adding that continuous rains will also be responsible.
The health chief reminded the public that dengue, although an all-year round disease, is more common during rainy days when there are more potential breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. To prevent dengue, Ona advised the public to destroy all mosquito breeding sites like old tires and tin cans, always clean roof gutters, replace water in flower vases regularly, use mosquito nets or protective clothing. He also stressed that fogging may be done only in outbreak areas.
SECRETARY ONA'S 1ST REGIONAL VISIT
source: www.doh.gov.ph
Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Davao Sub-National Blood Center in Mindanao to meet the blood needs of the region. Also in photo (from left to right) are Western Visayas Regional Director Dr. Ariel Valencia, Head Executive Assistant Dr. Yolly Oliveros, Southern Mindanao Regional Director Dr. Gene Baluma, Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Chief Dr. Leopoldo Vega and Health Assistant Secretary David Lozada. Secretary Ona also formally renamed the Davao Medical Center to Southern Philippines Medical Center. Ona envisioned the SPMC to be a model hospital and to utilize private-public partnership as a strategy to further improve the current healthcare delivery system. He added that SPMC could also be a center for organ donation and transplantation in Mindanao.
Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Davao Sub-National Blood Center in Mindanao to meet the blood needs of the region. Also in photo (from left to right) are Western Visayas Regional Director Dr. Ariel Valencia, Head Executive Assistant Dr. Yolly Oliveros, Southern Mindanao Regional Director Dr. Gene Baluma, Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Chief Dr. Leopoldo Vega and Health Assistant Secretary David Lozada. Secretary Ona also formally renamed the Davao Medical Center to Southern Philippines Medical Center. Ona envisioned the SPMC to be a model hospital and to utilize private-public partnership as a strategy to further improve the current healthcare delivery system. He added that SPMC could also be a center for organ donation and transplantation in Mindanao.
MILESTONE BREAKTHROUGH IN THE DOH ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN
source: www.doh.gov.ph
The Department of Health, through the Integrity Development Committee (DOH-IDC) comes up with a Covenant of Commitment with the National Movement for Free Election (NAMFREL), a non-partisan, non-political Coalition Against Corruption (CAC) watchdog together with other Civil Society Organizations in the country.
The commitment covenant signing was graced and represented by Honorable Secretary Enrique T. Ona, MD, witnessed by the IDC Chairperson, Assistant Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial with undersecretary of Health for the Field Implementation Management Office (FIMO) and all IDC Committee Members.
The commemorative signing made the DOH’s Anti-Corruption campaign a breakthrough of success and commitment in its effort to align the efficient, effective, and transparent governance to better achieve a quality healthcare delivery for the people
The Department of Health, through the Integrity Development Committee (DOH-IDC) comes up with a Covenant of Commitment with the National Movement for Free Election (NAMFREL), a non-partisan, non-political Coalition Against Corruption (CAC) watchdog together with other Civil Society Organizations in the country.The commitment covenant signing was graced and represented by Honorable Secretary Enrique T. Ona, MD, witnessed by the IDC Chairperson, Assistant Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial with undersecretary of Health for the Field Implementation Management Office (FIMO) and all IDC Committee Members.
The commemorative signing made the DOH’s Anti-Corruption campaign a breakthrough of success and commitment in its effort to align the efficient, effective, and transparent governance to better achieve a quality healthcare delivery for the people
Friday, August 6, 2010
DOH LEADS WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK
source: www.doh.gov.ph
The Department of Health (DOH), along with some 73 countries worldwide, joins the international community in the observance of the 19th World Breastfeeding Week with the theme, “Breastfeeding: Just 10 Steps. The Baby-Friendly Way”.
According to Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona, breastfeeding improves maternal and child health, and contributes to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal number 4 and 5 which is the reduction of child mortality and improvement of maternal health, respectively.
Study shows that the initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of life will lead to successful exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Continued breastfeeding should continue through the second year and beyond, with addition of safe, adequate, and appropriate complimentary foods.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently noted that the marked reduction in child mortality from 13 million deaths globally in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008 can be partly attributed to the adoption of basic health interventions like early and exclusive 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.
However, the 28% global compliance is a far cry from the 1990 Innocenti Declaration goal that by 1995 all maternity facilities shall be practicing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and shall promote and support breastfeeding practices in their respective countries.
The challenge for us is so great considering the resources are scarce. The “Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act 7600” was revised and expanded to RA 10028 or known as “Expanded Breastfeeding Act of 2009”. This law addresses the issue of discontinuation of breastfeeding because women workers have to return to their work. This will also fill-up the gap of some mothers, who for some reason, will not be able to breastfeed their babies for awhile by encouraging hospitals to put up milk banks. Breastfeeding will also be integrated in the academe from elementary to college, especially for medical and allied courses.
While all those things are in process, the DOH have to make sure that hospitals, birthing homes/lying-in/maternity clinics and the likes practices Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital Initiatives (MBFHI).
“Let us vigorously promote breastfeeding for a healthier citizenry,” Ona concluded.
The Department of Health (DOH), along with some 73 countries worldwide, joins the international community in the observance of the 19th World Breastfeeding Week with the theme, “Breastfeeding: Just 10 Steps. The Baby-Friendly Way”.According to Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona, breastfeeding improves maternal and child health, and contributes to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal number 4 and 5 which is the reduction of child mortality and improvement of maternal health, respectively.
Study shows that the initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of life will lead to successful exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Continued breastfeeding should continue through the second year and beyond, with addition of safe, adequate, and appropriate complimentary foods.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently noted that the marked reduction in child mortality from 13 million deaths globally in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008 can be partly attributed to the adoption of basic health interventions like early and exclusive 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.
However, the 28% global compliance is a far cry from the 1990 Innocenti Declaration goal that by 1995 all maternity facilities shall be practicing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and shall promote and support breastfeeding practices in their respective countries.
The challenge for us is so great considering the resources are scarce. The “Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act 7600” was revised and expanded to RA 10028 or known as “Expanded Breastfeeding Act of 2009”. This law addresses the issue of discontinuation of breastfeeding because women workers have to return to their work. This will also fill-up the gap of some mothers, who for some reason, will not be able to breastfeed their babies for awhile by encouraging hospitals to put up milk banks. Breastfeeding will also be integrated in the academe from elementary to college, especially for medical and allied courses.
While all those things are in process, the DOH have to make sure that hospitals, birthing homes/lying-in/maternity clinics and the likes practices Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital Initiatives (MBFHI).
“Let us vigorously promote breastfeeding for a healthier citizenry,” Ona concluded.
DOH AND PHILHEALTH TO LAUNCH NATIONWIDE REGISTRATION
source: www.doh.gov.ph
The Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) will stage a massive open registration this September in response to President Benigno Simeon Aquino’s marching orders to attain universal Philhealth coverage in three years.
This was disclosed by Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona in a press briefing today explaining that the nationwide registration shall take place by setting up Philhealth desks in public schools, municipal halls and all DOH-retained hospitals nationwide.
“In keeping with P-Noys promise to give each and every Filipino access to quality healthcare in three years time, your Philhealth will open its doors across the country to reach out to the very poor Filipinos identified through the National Household targeting System – Proxy means test (NHTS-PMT) of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and considered as true indigents,” Ona said.
Meanwhile, Philhealth President and CEO Dr. Rey B. Aquino also disclosed that all Philhealth regional and service offices and government as well as premiere commercial centers nationwide will also hold registration for non-members.
The state-run health insurance program was made a priority item in the new Administration’s health agenda which aims to hit 100 percent of the Philippine population within three years.
Secretary Ona who currently sits as the Chairman of the Philhealth Board, has organized a multi-sectoral task force to set things into motion and realize president Aquino’s directive the soonest time possible.
Ona himself heads the said task force which is composed of the DOH, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
The DILG shall help the DOH engage local chief executives in the enrolment of indigents in their respective jurisdictions as identified by the DSWD while DepEd shall help create Philhealth desks in all public schools to encourage students and their parents to register and become Philhealth members.
The activity aims to enrol the remaining Filipino citizens who are at least 21 years of age and non-members of the program. It is also open to 18 to 20 year olds who may need to register; existing contributors who are still unregistered; those not issued their Philhealth Number Card or Family Health Card yet; and those already registered but who may want to update their membership profile with Philhealth.
The program mainly targets those from the self-employed and informal sector who comprise some 53 percent of the population and of which a substantial portion can afford to pay for health insurance as individually paying members (IPMs). On the other hand, the low income as well as those without the means to pay shall benefit from sponsorships where the national and local governments and other sponsors shoulder the premiums for their annual coverage.
Targeted citizens are also enjoined to go to any of Philhealth’s 17 regional offices and close to 100 service offices in their locality.
“We are also tapping other means such as online registration via our website; via texting using their cell phones; in malls and other commercial centers; and through our partners such as Local Government Units, government hospitals and colleges and universities to ensure that they will be able to register with ease and convenience,” Philhealth President Aquino explained.
Upon registration, enrolees will be advised to activate their membership by paying the required contribution of at least Php 300 for a quarter or Php 1,200 for a year’s payment at any accredited collecting partners nearest them. A duly activated membership and completion of all eligibility requirements shall entitle a member and his/her qualified dependents medical care subsidies when confined in accredited hospitals anywhere in the country.
“I encourage all Filipinos, especially Philhealth non-members, to go out and avail of this opportunity to be registered with Philhealth and secure financial protection that they will need in times of emergencies and medical situations in the family,” Secretary Ona concluded.
For more details on the open registration, the public may log on to www.philhealth.gov.ph
The Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) will stage a massive open registration this September in response to President Benigno Simeon Aquino’s marching orders to attain universal Philhealth coverage in three years.This was disclosed by Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona in a press briefing today explaining that the nationwide registration shall take place by setting up Philhealth desks in public schools, municipal halls and all DOH-retained hospitals nationwide.
“In keeping with P-Noys promise to give each and every Filipino access to quality healthcare in three years time, your Philhealth will open its doors across the country to reach out to the very poor Filipinos identified through the National Household targeting System – Proxy means test (NHTS-PMT) of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and considered as true indigents,” Ona said.
Meanwhile, Philhealth President and CEO Dr. Rey B. Aquino also disclosed that all Philhealth regional and service offices and government as well as premiere commercial centers nationwide will also hold registration for non-members.
The state-run health insurance program was made a priority item in the new Administration’s health agenda which aims to hit 100 percent of the Philippine population within three years.
Secretary Ona who currently sits as the Chairman of the Philhealth Board, has organized a multi-sectoral task force to set things into motion and realize president Aquino’s directive the soonest time possible.
Ona himself heads the said task force which is composed of the DOH, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
The DILG shall help the DOH engage local chief executives in the enrolment of indigents in their respective jurisdictions as identified by the DSWD while DepEd shall help create Philhealth desks in all public schools to encourage students and their parents to register and become Philhealth members.
The activity aims to enrol the remaining Filipino citizens who are at least 21 years of age and non-members of the program. It is also open to 18 to 20 year olds who may need to register; existing contributors who are still unregistered; those not issued their Philhealth Number Card or Family Health Card yet; and those already registered but who may want to update their membership profile with Philhealth.
The program mainly targets those from the self-employed and informal sector who comprise some 53 percent of the population and of which a substantial portion can afford to pay for health insurance as individually paying members (IPMs). On the other hand, the low income as well as those without the means to pay shall benefit from sponsorships where the national and local governments and other sponsors shoulder the premiums for their annual coverage.
Targeted citizens are also enjoined to go to any of Philhealth’s 17 regional offices and close to 100 service offices in their locality.
“We are also tapping other means such as online registration via our website; via texting using their cell phones; in malls and other commercial centers; and through our partners such as Local Government Units, government hospitals and colleges and universities to ensure that they will be able to register with ease and convenience,” Philhealth President Aquino explained.
Upon registration, enrolees will be advised to activate their membership by paying the required contribution of at least Php 300 for a quarter or Php 1,200 for a year’s payment at any accredited collecting partners nearest them. A duly activated membership and completion of all eligibility requirements shall entitle a member and his/her qualified dependents medical care subsidies when confined in accredited hospitals anywhere in the country.
“I encourage all Filipinos, especially Philhealth non-members, to go out and avail of this opportunity to be registered with Philhealth and secure financial protection that they will need in times of emergencies and medical situations in the family,” Secretary Ona concluded.
For more details on the open registration, the public may log on to www.philhealth.gov.ph
DOH LAUNCHES OSPITAL PiNOY: MALINIS AT MABANGO CAMPAIGN
Source: http://www.doh.gov.ph
In the government’s desire to further improve service to the people and be at par with its private counterparts, the Department of Health (DOH) today launched the “Ospital ng PiNOY: Malinis at Mabango” campaign.
“Hospitals should be centers of wellness and not of sickness, hence the need to maintain always a clean environment,” Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona said, adding that the poor status of cleanliness and orderliness of DOH hospitals have always been a usual source of complaints among patients and caregivers, as well.
Aside from providing health services, hospital authorities should make sure that the wards, rooms, lavatories, hallways, and corridors inside the hospital premises and its surroundings are always clean, orderly, and odor-free.
The health chief challenged all hospital directors of DOH-retained hospitals and specialty hospitals to maintain the highest degree of hygiene in their work environment. Unclean, unkempt and smelly hospital premises pose a health risk to patients, their companions, and health workers. Oftentimes, this also causes the negative perception of the people on public hospitals.
The “Ospital ng PiNOY: Malinis at Mabango” campaign specifically instructs hospitals to maintain cleanliness and orderliness inside hospital premises including driveways and parking areas at all times and pursue specific initiatives, mechanisms, and activities to achieve its goal. It should also mobilize its staff and health workers, as well as patients and their companions, to ensure that hospital cleanliness and orderliness is maintained.
“Ospital ng PiNOY: Malinis at Mabango” stickers, posters, and tarpaulins should be set up in conspicuous areas such as entrances, corridors, hallways, offices, wards, rooms, lavatories, etc.
A feedback mechanism such as grievance boxes, complaint desks, hotlines is a must in order to allow patients, clients and other stakeholders to lodge their complaints regarding the cleanliness and orderliness of the hospital so that corrective measures are implemented immediately.
Ona directed the Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns and Regional Directors to ensure compliance to this campaign by conducting regular, random, unannounced spot checks of hospitals and by calling the attention of hospital chiefs, if necessary.
In the government’s desire to further improve service to the people and be at par with its private counterparts, the Department of Health (DOH) today launched the “Ospital ng PiNOY: Malinis at Mabango” campaign.“Hospitals should be centers of wellness and not of sickness, hence the need to maintain always a clean environment,” Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona said, adding that the poor status of cleanliness and orderliness of DOH hospitals have always been a usual source of complaints among patients and caregivers, as well.
Aside from providing health services, hospital authorities should make sure that the wards, rooms, lavatories, hallways, and corridors inside the hospital premises and its surroundings are always clean, orderly, and odor-free.
The health chief challenged all hospital directors of DOH-retained hospitals and specialty hospitals to maintain the highest degree of hygiene in their work environment. Unclean, unkempt and smelly hospital premises pose a health risk to patients, their companions, and health workers. Oftentimes, this also causes the negative perception of the people on public hospitals.
The “Ospital ng PiNOY: Malinis at Mabango” campaign specifically instructs hospitals to maintain cleanliness and orderliness inside hospital premises including driveways and parking areas at all times and pursue specific initiatives, mechanisms, and activities to achieve its goal. It should also mobilize its staff and health workers, as well as patients and their companions, to ensure that hospital cleanliness and orderliness is maintained.
“Ospital ng PiNOY: Malinis at Mabango” stickers, posters, and tarpaulins should be set up in conspicuous areas such as entrances, corridors, hallways, offices, wards, rooms, lavatories, etc.
A feedback mechanism such as grievance boxes, complaint desks, hotlines is a must in order to allow patients, clients and other stakeholders to lodge their complaints regarding the cleanliness and orderliness of the hospital so that corrective measures are implemented immediately.
Ona directed the Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns and Regional Directors to ensure compliance to this campaign by conducting regular, random, unannounced spot checks of hospitals and by calling the attention of hospital chiefs, if necessary.
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