By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — With more than a week left before the New Year, the Department of Health (DOH) has recorded four (4) new cases of fireworks-related injuries, bringing the total number to eight (😎.

All the new cases involved children aged 8 to 12, with three of them linked to the use of illegal fireworks.

Among the total cases, the specific fireworks involved were Boga (3), Piccolo (2), 5-star (1), Baby Dynamite (1), and Goodbye Philippines (1).

The DOH is urging parents to be vigilant and monitor their children closely.

“Parents should keep a watchful eye on their children and set an example by opting for noise-making alternatives,” the agency emphasized on Saturday (23 Dec 2023).

Additionally, the DOH suggests that law enforcement agencies, mayors, and barangay captains take action to halt the sale and use of illegal fireworks. Instead, they should encourage community fireworks displays as a safer alternative to household use.

(ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — The age-old adage that says “prevention is better than cure” must have driven the (DOH) to be proactive as it was able to inoculate 8,164,031 or 84 percent of the target population when it conducted a Measles-Rubella-bivalent Oral Polio vaccine supplemental immunization activity (MR-OPV SIA) from May to June this year.

DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa has stressed that measles and rubella cases can be prevented through vaccines and that most cases recover but still the disease can also be fatal.

“Iyong measles, self-limiting. They usually recover. But because the immune system of the kid is mababa, napapasukan sila ng bacterial pneumonia. Again, this is a respiratory illness. Doon sila namamatay, broncho-pneumonia, which is usually bacterial. So opportunistic iyan, dahil nagka-measles sila, mahina ang katawan tapos dadapuan ng second illness,” Herbosa said in a recent press conference.

The DOH announced that the campaign targeted 9 to 59-month-old children to have at least one dose of the measles and rubella vaccine, in a bid to allay an “impending risk of a measles outbreak”.

“However, to achieve quality SIA (supplemental immunization activity), the target is at least 90% of the target population. Partial unofficial data on the coverage for two doses of Measles-containing vaccine as of September 2023 is at 45.52%,” the DOH told reporters.

It further explained that measles and rubella cases are “showing a steady uptrend with cases in the recent three to four weeks (October 29 to November 11) 6 percent higher”.

“Additionally, 442 cases were reported in the recent four weeks. At the regional level, Regions I, IV-A, and IX showed a continuous increase in the recent six-week period (October 15 to November 25), while NCR, Regions III, V, XI, XII, and BARMM showed case increases in the recent 3-4 or 1-2 weeks, reporting 2 to 253 new cases in the recent four weeks,” the DOH disclosed.

(IAmigo/MNM)

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has advised the public to exercise caution in their food choices during the Christmas season, emphasizing the persistent threat of heart disease as the leading cause of death among Filipinos.

Expressing concern about lifestyle-related illnesses, Herbosa emphasized the restriction of ‘ma’ foods—those that are fatty (mataba), salty (maalat), and sweet (matamis). He highlighted the nutritional value of salads and fruits, emphasizing the importance of moderation in consumption.

While acknowledging the restrictions, Herbosa also encouraged individuals to indulge sensibly, stating, “It’s permissible to taste. Once you’ve experienced it, that’s enough. You’ve already sampled the food that was served. It’s wonderful to celebrate, but I don’t want Filipinos celebrating in the emergency rooms of hospitals.”

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Herbosa pointed out that ischemic heart disease accounted for 121,558 cases or 18.3 percent of all deaths in the nation from January to December 2022, solidifying its status as the leading cause of death.

(IA/MNM)

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reported that the allocated beds for COVID-19 patients in three hospitals are nearly at full capacity.

The affected hospitals include the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, the National Kidney Transplant Institute, and the Medical City.

Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag emphasized the severity of the situation in a recent television interview, stating, “Halos sagad na po ‘yung mga kaso ng COVID nila doon sa allocated beds sa mga nasabing ospital. Sa pangkalahatan, ang ibang rehiyon naman ay hindi pa umaabot sa ganong sitwasyon” (Translation: Cases of COVID are almost reaching the full capacity of the allocated beds in these hospitals. Generally, other regions have not yet reached such a situation).

In response to the rising cases, the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (PGH) has implemented the mandatory use of face masks as a preventive measure.

DOH recommends the use of face masks, especially for senior citizens, pregnant women, and individuals who have not completed their vaccine doses.

Tayag stated, “Sa amin naman sa Kagawaran ng Kalusugan, ang pagsusuot ng mask ay aming nirerekomenda sa mga senior citizen, mga buntis, mahina ang katawan, lalong lalo na hindi naman nakumpleto ang bakuna po” (Translation: In the Department of Health, we recommend the use of masks for senior citizens, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems, especially those who have not completed their vaccine doses).

(ai/mnm)

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) has announced that all four cases of “walking pneumonia” have successfully recovered.

“Only 4 (0.08%) of the confirmed influenza-like illness cases from January to November 25, 2023, were attributed to M. pneumoniae or ‘Walking Pneumonia.’ All these cases have now been recovered. More than half of the confirmed ILI cases were caused by other well-known and commonly detected pathogens. We have effective medicines for treating M. pneumoniae, and its transmission can be easily prevented,” stated the DOH.

According to the DOH, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common and known pathogen that can cause various infections, including colds and pneumonia.

It is classified as one of the influenza-like illnesses (ILIs), presenting symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and cough.

“Younger children may exhibit cold-like symptoms. Although all age groups can be affected, individuals with weakened immune systems and those living in closed settings are at a higher risk of developing more severe diseases. Filipino doctors and medical personnel in our hospitals are equipped to treat M. pneumoniae and have the necessary medicines,” the agency assured.

“Here in the Philippines, the DOH has previously identified M. pneumoniae using various methods. The DOH surveillance systems can detect ILIs and confirm their causes through laboratory testing,” it added.

Earlier, the DOH reported four confirmed cases of “walking pneumonia” as of November 25.

(ai/mnm)

Ni Liezelle Soriano

NANGANGALAP na ng mga karagdagang impormasyon ang Department of Health (DOH) sa napaulat na pagtaas ng kaso ng respiratory illness sa mga batang mag-aaral sa Beijing, China.

Ayon kay DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, ang cold snap ay maaaring maging sanhi ng pagtaas ng kaso ng lrespiratory illnesses sa Beijing at kasalukuyan nang minomonitor ng ahensiya ang bagong health issue.

“We are monitoring that because the World Health Organization is monitoring this respiratory illness out of Cina. Babantayan din natin ‘yan. Like any outbreak or clustering — ang tawag diyan clustering may similar cases in one location — so that might be the start of something or it might not be. Puwedeng common colds or flu lang ‘yan. But we are watching it,” ani Herbosa.

“I just hope it’s just a regular flu and not a new, emerging infectious disease (like Covid). They will diagnose that eventually,” dagdag pa niya.

Sinabi pa ng DOH na sa pamamagitan ng kanilang Epidemiology Bureau ay nakipag-ugnayan na sila sa International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point ng China para humingi ng karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa isyu.

Ayon sa DOH, sa Pilipinas, iniuulat sa Epidemiology Bureau ang mga hinihinalang kaso ng mala-influenza na sakit para sa patuloy na pagbabantay.

“Currently, ILI cases are still on an uptrend but at a slower pace. To prevent further case increases, the Department encourages the public to practice these preventive measures: observe cough etiquette; masking, as appropriate; get vaccinated; ensure to stay home or isolate if ill; and seek early consultation, when needed,” pagbibigay-diin pa ni Herbosa.

ISANG kilos-protesta ang isinagawa ng Alliance of Health Workers sa harap ng tanggapan ng Department of Health (DOH) sa Avenida Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila nitong Lunes, November 13, 2023.

Iba’t ibang grupo ng health workers ang sama-sama na nagsagawa ng demonstrasyon na pinangunahan ng AHW upang ipanawagan ang kanilang mga hinaing sa administrasyong Marcos, kabilang ang hindi pagbibigay ng kanilang Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) noong kasagsagan ng pandemya.

Makikita sa larawan at video ang mga nagpoprotestang grupo ng health workers at dala ang malalaking banners na nagsasaad ng kanilang mga kahilingan sa gobyerno.

(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)

By Liezelle Soriano

THE Department of Health and the Commission on Higher Education signed an agreement on the upskilling of clinical care associates.

Under the partnership agreement, 55 hospitals and 19 nursing schools will collaborate to implement the Clinical Care Associates Upskilling Program.

The program hopes to address the shortage of nurses.

Health Undersecretary Kenneth Ronquillo signed the Memorandum of Understanding in behalf of the DOH.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., Commission on Higher Education Commissioner Prospero de Vera III and representatives from the private sector witnessed the signing of the memorandum.

“Through this program, the DOH, in collaboration with CHED and private partners, aims to address the shortage of nurses in the country, aligned with one of the Department’s 8-Point Action Agenda,” the department said.