By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said on Wednesday (Dec. 4, 2024) that the country has a 26 percent rate of stunting, or “pagkabansot” in Filipino.
“Mayroon tayong 26 percent ng stunting… ito ay dahil sa chronic malnutrition. ‘Yung mahabang panahon na hindi nakakain ng tamang sustansya ang isang bata,” he said in a radio interview.
Aside from stunting, Herbosa mentioned that child obesity is also a concern. However, the government will prioritize addressing stunting.
Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered the DOH to campaign for healthier food options to combat malnutrition and stunting.
“We have to educate people to eat healthier options. We go back to the main point, I think, is how do we consolidate all of these things that we are doing,” Marcos said.
“Well, I think Ted (Herbosa) is doing many things already. Pero may gaps sa coordination at may overlap. I’m sure there’s some wasted effort and funding there. So, I think that’s where we can focus on,” the Chief Executive added.
Ia/mnm
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has called on the newly licensed Filipino physicians from the 2024 Physicians Licensure Examinations to consider joining government service.
“Join us at the DOH and work in public health, health systems strengthening, health policy, and health financing. You could also become a DOH Doctor to the Barrios (DTTB),” Herbosa said in a statement on Saturday, October 19, 2024, while congratulating the new doctors.
“Our DOH hospitals also offer residency programs and specializations. Consider Family and Community Medicine—these are the doctors who will save lives at our BUCAS centers, mobile primary care clinics, and through the PuroKalusugan program,” he added.
According to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), 3,845 out of 6,600 individuals passed the recent licensure examination.
Herbosa also encouraged the new doctors to help “build a health system Filipinos truly deserve.”
“Serve the people! Let us provide safe, affordable, and accessible healthcare for everyone, because in the Bagong Pilipinas, bawat buhay mahalaga (every life matters)!”
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By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa on Monday (02 Sept 2024) warned the public against leptospirosis and other skin diseases that may be acquired from flood waters.
“Nagre-reminder tayo ngayon na ‘wag sanang mag-swimming sa mga maduming tubig na baha at ikaw ay nakalusob, hindi maiwasan, binaha ang baha niyo, importante na maghugas [gamit ang] sabon at tubig,” Herbosa said in a radio interview, noting that there has been over 700 cases logged weeks after Typhoon Carina hit the country which caused flood in areas nationwide.
“Marami pang iba na nakaka-cause ng skin disease—so, soap and water at kung may sugat mag-konsulta [sa physician],” he added.
The DOH official said that symptoms of leptospirosis will be seen two weeks after exposure from flood waters.
He also advised the parents not to allow the children to swim in flood waters.
Herbosa said that those who have waded in flood should watch out for the possible symptoms of leptospirosis to have proper medication.
ia/mnm
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has issued a warning to Filipinos about Monkeypox (Mpox) following the World Health Organization (WHO)’s declaration of the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.
“This means it’s like an alert or warning. We don’t yet have a severe pandemic like COVID-19, but there’s potential for the number of cases to increase,” Herbosa said in a radio interview on Friday, August 16, 2024.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), large numbers of cases have been reported in Africa, Europe, and North America, with some cases also identified in Asia.
“There are only a few cases here in Asia, but they do exist,” Herbosa noted.
He emphasized that when the WHO declares a public health emergency of international concern, it advises health departments to be on high alert and increase their surveillance of the disease.
In response, the DOH has issued health advisories to inform the public about Mpox and how to prevent its spread.
The DOH has recorded nine cases of Mpox in the country, four in 2022 and five in 2023.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Brushing off unfounded fears, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa on Monday (27 May 2024) said that although COVID FLiRT variants appear to be highly contagious, “nothing to worry about” since “it does not kill.”
But the DOH will not take chances as it confirmed the issuance of the Bureau of Quarantine’s (BOQ) Bureau Memorandum No. 2024-48 dated May 24, wherein “all stations have been directed to conduct thorough screening at Points of Entry for arriving visitors originating from countries where COVID FLiRT incidents have been detected”.
“We appreciate the public’s heightened interest in BOQ operations to protect our population — as you can see, DOH delivers,” the agency said.
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released variants under monitoring (VUM), including KP.2 and KP.3, which were dubbed by researchers as “FLiRT” variants to describe the amino acid changes in the spike protein of the COVID-19 virus.
It was learned that under the new BOQ memo, the public is reminded to “take basic health measures such as frequent hand washing, coughing etiquette, avoiding crowded situations and getting in contact with people with flu-like symptoms.”
“All travelers must be reminded to complete the health questionnaire available on the e-travel application,” the BOQ memo said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) has issued a warning about fake videos of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa circulating online.
The DOH reported that these videos falsely use Herbosa’s image and name.
“The DOH clarifies that none of the allegations stated in the video are true and that the purported interview with the official has been maliciously edited,” the department stated.
According to the DOH, criminal charges may be pursued if these posts persist.
The DOH urged the public to source information only from legitimate sources and platforms, such as the health department.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following reports that a 75-year-old man was found dead in Ilocos Sur possibly due to heat stroke, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa on Thursday said there should be “heat breaks” for workers amid the severe heat ravishing the entire country.
The DOH chief stressed the importance of giving “heat breaks” to workers, particularly those exposed directly under the sun, to prevent them suffering from heat-related illnesses.
“I’m sorry to hear na may namatay [that someone has died] because heat stroke and deaths due to heat-related illness is preventable,” Herbosa lamented.
Herbosa also welcomed the move by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to allow employees who have health issues aggravated by the high heat index to file a leave of absence.
“I-protect nalang ‘yung workers through proper health breaks. The most important thing is it is the right of the workers kung sabihin niya kailangan niya ng break, pwede dapat mag-break,” the country’s top health honcho said.
Herbosa said he supports the proposal to have construction workers do their work at night when temperatures are cooler.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Stressing that the airborne pertussis can be cured, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa on Wednesday (10 April 2024) said there should be effort to get rid of vaccine scare
At the Kapihan sa Manila Bay at Cafe Adriatico hosted by veteran journalist Marichu A. Villanueva, the DOH chief disclosed that the government is making every effort to obtain an adequate supply of pertussis vaccine.
“Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable illness. Deaths are preventable. That’s what I want to emphasize to the parents,” Herbosa said.
He also bared that the available vaccine supply is expected to be exhausted by May.
Herbosa said the DOH has ordered 4 million doses of the pentavalent vaccine, but it may take 120 days for it to arrive, possibly in July.
He added that as of last count, 49 children have already lost their lives to the disease.
“Kapag ang bata di gumagaling ang ubo 3 to 4 days, pakonsulta agad,” Herbosa said.
He clarified that the whooping cough by asthmatic individuals is different from the one brought by pertussis.
Herbosa said if the whooping cough is accompanied by fever, then it’s likely to be pertussis and should see the doctor immediately.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) has issued a warning to the public regarding fraudulent emails impersonating Health Secretary Ted Herbosa.
The DOH clarified that the email address being utilized does not belong to Secretary Herbosa.
Furthermore, the department emphasized that any statements, comments, or transactions made through this email do not represent Secretary Herbosa.
The DOH stated that criminal charges may be pursued if such deceptive practices persist.
In the meantime, the agency urges the public to obtain information solely from reputable sources and platforms, such as the official website and social media accounts of the health department.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Noting the advancement of technology, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa on Wednesday said it’s time to digitize and modernize the country’s health system.
The DOH chief said that it’s time that the health department modernizes primary care as he aimed to build 28 primary care facilities that will serve the 28 million Filipinos’ health concerns by 2028.
“We need to digitize our records, we need to digitize. Meron na ngang X-ray ngayon with AI. We just need to use the current technology. Pati yung cellphone, ihaharap lang sa mukha, makukuha ang BP, respiratory rate etc. Even primary care dapat digital. Yung mga areas na walang doctor, I can connect them to a doctor in the regional hospital for telemedicine,” Herbosa quipped.
Also included in Herbosa’s priority goals are the National Immunization Program; Nutrition Program; Child and Maternal Health Programs; Tuberculosis Programs; Road Safety Programs; Non-communicable diseases with emphasis on hypertension and diabetes and; Cancer Programs.
At the same time, Herbosa said he wanted to modernize its asset management system to make procurement and delivery of essential drugs, medicines, and vaccines even more efficient, especially during times of health emergencies.
He made the statement in light of reported expired medicines worth around P1 million in a rural health unit in the town of Bacacay, Albay in the Bicol region.
“I want to modernize from procurement all the way to delivery. Kailangan makadating siya doon sa nangangailangan at yung bakuna, ay hindi mabulok doon sa refrigerator at mai-inject,” Herbosa said.
The DOH chief expressed disgust over the incident and vowed to conduct a review on the procurement and distribution of medicines at the local level.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — In a stern advisory, Department of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa cautioned the public against the use of intravenous (IV) glutathione that has not received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“IV glutathione may promise skin whitening and a ‘Caucasian’ appearance, but it poses severe risks, including potential kidney damage and even fatal outcomes,” Herbosa emphasized during a media forum held on Wednesday (17 January 2023).
Herbosa clarified that IV glutathione is intended for use in hospitals as a rescue medicine for complications arising from chemotherapy in cancer patients.
“From the perspective of the Department of Health, it is not a safe practice. The FDA has not approved for its use in skin whitening. Any utilization of such products is deemed illegal,” reiterated the Health Secretary.
Highlighting a tragic incident, Herbosa shared details about a 36-year-old woman who reportedly lost her life after undergoing glutathione and stem cell intravenous infusion at a clinic in Quezon City.
“The loss of a life that could have been prevented is a poignant reminder. Immediate action is required to address such incidents,” stressed Herbosa.
(el Amigo/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)