Author: Selena Alzate

In a concerted effort to combat the pervasive issue of substance abuse, the Department of Health (DOH) recently initiated the Biyaheng Kalusugan: Drug Abuse Prevention and Control (DAPC) Week. This transformative event, held in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders, seeks to mobilise communities, fostering awareness about the danger of substance abuse and advocating for healthier choices, community resilience, and robust support systems.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, voiced serious concern over the escalating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in the Philippines, particularly among teenagers. As of May 2023, there were a total of 1,256 new HIV cases reported, with an average of 48 cases per day. The data disclosed by the HIV/AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines revealed that 26 percent of individuals had an “advanced HIV infection” at the time of diagnosis, including 20 percent of cases among the youth.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has expressed deep concern over the alarming increase in typhoid cases across the Philippines. With the Department of Health (DOH) reporting 17,531 cases this year, a 38% increase compared to the same period last year, Senator Go is urging Filipinos to prioritise their health through heightened vigilance, proper hygiene, and timely medical consultation.

Measles cases in the country have surged dramatically by 299% from January to October this year, sounding alarms within the public health sector, as reported by the Department of Health (DOH). The latest data from the DOH’s Disease Surveillance Report shows concerning statistics. 1,829 cases were recorded during this period. This marks a significant increase compared to the same timeframe last year, which garnered 458 cases.

The Bicol Region’s Department of Health is encouraging senior citizens of Legaspi City to receive vaccinations for enhanced defence against diseases, particularly pneumonia and influenza (flu).

Learn how OK sa DepEd addresses malnutrition, providing health services to teachers and learners, aligning with the Universal Health Care Act. iscover the transformative collaboration between the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH) with the launch of ‘Oplan Kalusugan’ (OK) and ‘Healthy Learning Institutions’ (HLIs) at Quirino High School

A Philippine medical program advertised an eye supplement that claims to heal eye illnesses, but medical experts say otherwise. A video of the now defunct medical program called “Salamat, Dok” (lit., “Thanks, Doc.)  released a segment online that showcases an eye supplement titled ‘Double Care Eye Brain’. It claims to be based on a testimony by a 61-year-old woman. 

Approximately 65% of breast cancer instances in the Philippines are identified in the advanced or late stages due to insufficient treatment and delayed detection. Among Filipinos, the five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer is a mere 44.4%. The Philippine Cancer Society highlighted that breast cancer is the leading cancer in terms of both new cases and fatalities, not only in the local context but also on a global scale. The statistics reveal 27,163 new cases annually, resulting in 9,906 deaths each year for both genders.

Recently, the town of La Libertad in Negros Oriental introduced its “TeleKonsulta”, an online medical consultation serving 21 barangays. The pilot test of TeleKonsulta will provide insights into the effectiveness of digital platforms for the local government unit (LGU) in delivering quicker medical services to Filipinos, which may lessen the need to travel far to the health centres in their town. The program will include a total of 21 barangays. These barangays were chosen based on their limited access to their nearest health centre.  

A study conducted by Capstone-Intel revealed that many Filipino women lack knowledge about the health risks linked to the beginning of menopause. Menopause is a universal experience for all women, but educational resources are scarce on this subject. This is especially so in the Philippines. It is a part of the normal ageing process of women, which makes it vital to acknowledge and confront the possible health risks that might emerge during this phase of transition.