Health and Lifestyle
Health chief seeks to boost vaccination rate for kids
November 11, 2017, 7:12 am
MANILA – Health Secretary Dr. Francisco Duque III has sought the help of various stakeholders in improving the vaccination rate for children, which was at 70 percent in 2016, far from the health department’s target. "Today, our vaccination coverage for fully immunized children or FIC is far… Read More
Low calorie diet may help reverse type 2 diabetes
November 10, 2017, 12:35 pm
WASHINGTON -- A US study released Thursday revealed how a very low-calorie diet can rapidly reverse type 2 diabetes in rats. If confirmed in people, the insight provides potential new drug targets for treating this common chronic disease, said the researchers, according to the study published in… Read More
FDA warns vs. fake Safeguard soaps
November 9, 2017, 7:50 pm
MANILA -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning the public against purchasing and using counterfeit Safeguard Family Germ Protection Pure White 60-g. soap bars that are proliferating in the local market. In its Advisory No. 2017-291, the FDA said the fake Safeguard soaps could be… Read More
Big drug rehab centers could be ‘reconfigured’: Duque
November 9, 2017, 4:10 pm
MANILA – Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said his department is open to the idea of "reconfiguring" the mega drug rehabilitation center in Nueva Ecija province. "Yung malalaking (The large) drug rehab centers should probably be reconfigured so they can provide services for the more… Read More
Breast cancer may return even years after treatment: study
November 9, 2017, 11:19 am
WASHINGTON -- Women with a type of breast cancer fueled by estrogen still face a substantial risk of cancer returning or spreading, even 15 years after they finished standard treatment for the disease, a new study said Wednesday. Researchers from an international collaboration known as the Early… Read More
Aussie scientists develop drug to reduce obesity
November 9, 2017, 10:58 am
SYDNEY -- Australian researchers have uncovered a drug that has the potential to reverse the negative effects of maternal obesity. The drug, known as NMN, increases energy metabolism and could provide the same benefits as exercise in the fight against obesity in children born to overweight… Read More
Advocates seek budget for mental health
November 8, 2017, 6:34 pm
MANILA – Advocates have asked Congress to hasten the passage of the proposed Philippine Mental Health Law and to include specific budgetary provisions to ensure its successful implementation. Citing global statistics, Dr. June Lopez of the Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA) said one in 20… Read More
Duque okays use of medical cannabis for research
November 8, 2017, 12:51 pm
MANILA – Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said his department approves of the use of medical marijuana for research purposes and in line with the provisions of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "It is very important that we emphasize that in terms of what the FDA is allowed to do, it… Read More
Health chief vows to carry out reproductive health law
November 8, 2017, 9:05 am
MANILA -- Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he will abide by his duty to fully implement the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law. "We have to implement the law as a member of the executive branch and the bureaucracy. It is our duty to implement what is in the law,"… Read More
Palawan health personnel undergo sanitation training
November 7, 2017, 4:47 pm
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- The Department of Health (DOH) in MIMAROPA region is training sanitary inspectors and health personnel at the local level to prevent environmental hazards in the community. DOH regional director, Dr. Eduardo Janairo, said the “promotion of public health and… Read More
DOH to public: Keep cemeteries clean
November 1, 2017, 3:33 pm
MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) is urging the public flocking to cemeteries to bring garbage bags as they visit and remember their departed loved ones in observance of All Saints' and All Souls' Day. “Magdala din tayo ng (Let us also bring) garbage bag,” said DOH Spokesperson Dr.… Read More
Age-friendly workplaces better for health of mature staff
October 31, 2017, 7:36 pm
CANBERRA -- Age-friendly workplaces and allowing employees to retire voluntarily contribute to longer careers and better overall health of retirees, according to Australian researchers who undertook a study of older Australians in the workplace. Using data from a decade-long national survey of… Read More
Medical marijuana must be strictly regulated: DOH chief
October 31, 2017, 2:56 pm
MANILA – Ad Interim Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has expressed support for the use of medical cannabis in the country, provided it is under strict regulation. "It is supposed to be for compassionate use, so there must be a very narrow applicability and must be strictly regulated," Duque… Read More
PH Red Cross ready for Undas
October 31, 2017, 2:20 pm
MANILA --The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will mobilize its 103 chapter staff and volunteers nationwide to ensure public safety and attend to medical needs in line with its Oplan Kaluluwa 2017 as many Filipinos travel to their home provinces and flock to cemeteries for All Saints' Day. "Staff and… Read More
DOH Undas tip: Watch out for fatigue, stress
October 31, 2017, 1:43 pm
MANILA -- People heading for the cemeteries to observe All Saints' Day on Wednesday should take care not to tire or stress themselves out, the new spokesperson of the Department of Health (DOH) said. Fatigue and stress could lead to high blood pressure and heart attack, said Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy.… Read More
Study identifies genetic causes of asthma, hay fever, eczema
October 31, 2017, 1:25 pm
SYDNEY -- An Australian-led international study has pinpointed more than 100 genetic risk factors that explain why some people suffer from asthma, hay fever and eczema. The study is touted as the first of its kind "designed specifically to find genetic risk factors that are shared among the three… Read More
Zambo Press Club, West Metro hold medical mission
October 28, 2017, 9:13 pm
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The West Metro Medical Center (West Metro) and Zamboanga Press Club, Inc. (ZPCI) on Saturday conducted a medical mission that benefited 46 members and dependents of the ZPCI. Of the total beneficiaries, 36 were adults and the remaining 10 were children who availed of the free… Read More
Duque to prioritize rebuilding of Marawi’s health infra
October 27, 2017, 6:53 pm
MANILA – Newly-appointed Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said his department will give priority to the rebuilding of health infrastructure damaged during the five-month siege of Marawi City. "Ang priority program natin ngayon (Our priority program at present) is to help rebuild Marawi… Read More
PhilHealth issues new policy on claims for 3 diseases
October 27, 2017, 2:01 pm
MANILA -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) no longer requires the length of stay in hospital as basis for reimbursing claims for pneumonia, acute gastroenteritis, and urinary tract infection (UTI). Circular No. 2017-0028, signed by Dr. Celestina dela Serna, PhilHealth interim… Read More
Study points to new approach to tackling antibiotic resistance
October 27, 2017, 1:15 pm
CHICAGO -- A key difference between the way immune cells attack bacteria and the way antibiotics do may provide a roadmap for combatting the rising threat of drug-resistant pathogens. Researchers of the University of Michigan (UM), in collaboration with colleagues at Harvard University, have… Read More
