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Marilyn "lyn" Jacot,Sep 7 |
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Wilfreda "willy" Jaminal,Sep 13 |
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Loida "loids" Millan,Sep 14 |
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Wilma "wil" Oclarit,Sep 19 |
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Ma. Gemma "gem" Pallada,Sep 21 |
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Edgar, "gar" Olarte,Sep 22 |
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Flordelina "flor" Delacerna,Sep 23 |
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Ma. Elen "elen" Santua,Sep 23 |
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Elizabeth "beth" Maandig,Sep 25 |
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Emiliano "jun" Galban, Jr.,Sep 25 |
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Dinah "dina" Navarro,Sep 15 |
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LAUNCHES ‘D.E.N.G.U.E.’ STRATEGY
by: Voltaire M. Ucab
2010-09-02
Source: www.doh.gov.ph
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.
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LAWYERS AND DOCTORS LAUD COURT’S DENIAL OF CIGARETTE CO`S INJUNCTION
by: Voltaire M. Ucab
2010-08-20
Source: www.doh.gov.ph
Press Release/18 August 2010
Health and law professionals joined the Department of Health in celebrating a Parañaque court order that denied an injunction in a case filed against it by Telengtan Brothers and Sons, also known as La Suerte Cigar and Cigarette Factory. La Suerte questioned the DOH order requiring graphic health information on cigarette packs.
“This is a welcome development. Injunctions are issued to prevent injustice. Which is more unjust, the loss of profits to tobacco companies or the cancers and other deadly diseases that half their loyal customers will die of? People are only vaguely aware of the types of things they can get with cigarettes. The longer it takes to implement this requirement, the more people will get addicted before knowing the truth,” says Atty. Ipat Luna an environmental law expert and breastfeeding advocate.
Since the issuance of the Administrative Order, five tobacco companies have filed cases in various courts assailing its validity. In two of five cases, preliminary injunctions have been issued in their favor. An injunction, once granted, retains the status quo among parties.
”This admirable move by the Parañaque court has given us even more faith in the justice system. Just this April, the Supreme Court ordered that lower courts cannot issue preliminary injunctions against lawful actions of government agencies to enforce environmental laws. Will it give any less protection when a government agency acts to protect public health?” Atty. Luna adds.
The health department’s AO requires tobacco manufacturers to put graphic health information relating to the contents and harmful effects of tobacco products on cigarette packs, and prohibit manufacturers from using misleading descriptors on cigarettes, like “light”, “ultra-light” and “low tar”. It was issued in compliance with the Consumer Protection Act and the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control that was ratified five years ago.
“The denial of the injunction gives us hope. Out of the top ten causes of mortality in the Philippines, at least seven are smoking-related. This is more than enough reason to stop tobacco consumption and save lives. The DOH took the huge step forward in protecting the people’s right to know about the ills that cigarettes bring. The AO should be celebrated, not questioned,” Dr. Daniel Tan, a WHO awardee on tobacco control in the Philippines, says.
Under the Administrative Code (title IX, Chapter 1, Section 2) and the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Article 2), the DOH is mandated to make administrative regulations to promote the people’s constitutional right to health.
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COURT SAYS TO TOBACCO COMPANY: NO INJUNCTION to DOH AO
by: Voltaire M. Ucab
2010-08-20
Source: www.doh.gov.ph
17 August 2010
The Department of Health won its first battle in what has become a long, drawn-out fight to protect the people’s right to health information.
The Regional Tiral Court of Paranaque City denied Telengtan Brothers and Sons’ application for an injunction against the implementation of Administrative Order (AO) No. 2010-0013 last July 22, 2010.
The AO requires tobacco manufacturers to put pictures of tobacco-related illnesses on cigarette packs, and prohibit manufacturers from using misleading descriptors on cigarettes, like “light”, “ultra-light” and “low tar”. It was issued in compliance with the Consumer Protection Act and the World Health Framework Convention on Tobacco Control that was ratified five years ago.
Telengtan Brothers and Sons sought the injunction because of the “grave and irreparable damage” it believes it would suffer from the penalties that can be imposed for violations. Telengtan Brothers and Sons manufactures the cigarette brands, “Astro”, “Canon” and “Memphis”, and does business under the name and style La Suerte Cigar and Cigarette Factory.
The RTC denied the injunction because it would preempt a decision on the validity of the AO, the principal issue in the case. It also said that as the penalties are not even operative yet, Telengtan Brothers and Sons’ “rouse of a possible violation of the law becomes a little bit imaginary in the meantime, and would not stand to prejudice petitioner.”
According to the AO, tobacco companies are expected to comply by ensuring that all cigarette packs have graphic information within 90 days from its effectivity, or by September 10, 2010.
“This order is a victory for the DOH and the Filipino public. It’s very tragic that we have all these tobacco companies filing cases left and right questioning the validity of an AO that was crafted with nothing but the health of the Filipino people in mind. The fight is far from over, but this is a positive development.” Undersecretary Alex Padilla of the DOH said.
Since the issuance of the Administrative Order, five tobacco companies have filed cases in various courts assailing its validity.
“The DOH is mandated by law to promote the people’s constitutional right to health, and we intend to comply with our duty,” added Usec. Padilla
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INFLUENZA A (H1N1) UPDATE
by: DOH
2010-08-13
source: www.doh.gov.ph
12 August 2010
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.
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DENGUE NOW OVER THE 40,000 MARK, 48% HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR-DOH
by: DOH
2010-08-13
Source: www.doh.gov.ph
Press Release/12 August 2010 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.
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