Health and Lifestyle
Launch hotline for suicide prevention, health assistance
September 29, 2017, 4:06 pm
BUTUAN CITY — Caraganons seeking psychological counseling or even health assistance now have a dedicated hotline to call. This after the Department of Health in the region (DOH-Caraga) conducted a soft launch of its own “Helpline Numbers" where standby operators are always available for any… Read More
Chinese scientists reveal why Zika virus causes microcephaly
September 29, 2017, 1:11 pm
WASHINGTON -- Chinese researchers said Thursday they might have solved the mystery of why the Zika virus causes microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems in babies. In a study published in the US journal Science, a team led by Cheng-Feng… Read More
49 municipalities are rabies-free: DOH
September 28, 2017, 8:12 pm
MANILA – Eight municipalities were declared rabies-free Thursday, bringing to 49 the total number of municipalities nationwide with no incidence of rabies in at least three consecutive years. The Department of Health (DOH) declared Batuan, San Jacinto, San Francisco and Monreal in Ticao Island… Read More
DepEd, DOH include rabies education in curriculum
September 28, 2017, 7:55 pm
MANILA -- The Department of Education (DepEd) is collaborating with the Department of Health (DOH) in integrating rabies education in the national curriculum to achieve a zero-rabies Philippines by 2020. "We in DepEd are very happy that we have this integration of rabies education in our… Read More
DOH supports approval of medical marijuana bill
September 27, 2017, 7:34 pm
MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday it agrees with the House of Representatives Health Committee’s approval of the bill that seeks to legalize and regulate the medical use of cannabis or marijuana. "We agree to making it available for restricted and highly regulated medical… Read More
DOH manual addresses issues on teen health: Ubial
September 27, 2017, 6:55 pm
MANILA – Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial on Tuesday announced the launch of the Manual of Operations on Adolescent Health and Development Program to help manage the numerous challenges confronting adolescents in the country. The manual, which was launched in Iloilo City, is a guide on… Read More
P34-B lost yearly due to teen pregnancy: ex-health chief
September 27, 2017, 2:29 pm
MANILA – The country incurs PHP34 billion in economic losses annually due to the high prevalence of teenage pregnancy, former health secretary, Dr. Esperanza Cabral, said. Since these teenage girls become pregnant early, they are unable to complete their secondary education and thus cannot… Read More
East Visayas reg'l hospital addresses doc shortage
September 25, 2017, 6:06 pm
TACLOBAN CITY-- The Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) is addressing the shortage of doctors working in the state-run hospital by recruiting specialists from other regions.“We need people to help us even at the regional level, we are short in population to doctor ratio,” EVRMC’s… Read More
Regional blood center to rise in Tacloban
September 25, 2017, 5:58 pm
TACLOBAN CITY-- A regional blood center will soon rise at the new Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) complex, the Department of Health (DOH) here confirmed on Monday. DOH Regional Director Minerva Molon said in an interview that the government-funded project will be situated at the… Read More
Palawan town under 'state of emergency' due to diarrhea outbreak
September 23, 2017, 12:35 pm
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- The municipality of Quezon in southern Palawan is now under a “state of emergency” due to the diarrhea outbreak brought about by contaminated drinking water sources. Dr. Allan Paciones, of the Quezon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office… Read More
Mining firms support anti-TB awareness campaign in Palawan
September 22, 2017, 5:32 pm
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan-- The Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC) and the Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC) recently a community-based tuberculosis (TB) awareness advocacy activity in the southern town of Bataraza. Hilaria Venus, Tuberculosis Program Coordinator, said Thursday that… Read More
Suspected diarrhea outbreak in Palawan probed
September 21, 2017, 9:47 pm
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- Key health officials gathered Thursday in the southern Palawan town of Quezon to investigate a suspected outbreak of diarrhea that affected 727 residents since July and allegedly caused the death of four people. Dr. Allan Paciones of the Municipal Risk Reduction… Read More
DOH respects health workers' right to join protest
September 21, 2017, 7:00 pm
MANILA – Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial said her department would fully respect the right of health workers to air grievances if they join the rally in Luneta Park during the National Day of Protest on Thursday. "That's their right. We just hope they will promote peace," Ubial said in her… Read More
DOH sees 37% rise in leptospirosis cases
September 21, 2017, 3:47 pm
MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 1,194 cases of leptospirosis from Jan. 1 to Sept. 2 this year, 37.7 percent higher than the 867 reported in the same period last year. In its latest report, made available Thursday, the DOH Epidemiology Bureau also recorded 119 deaths over the… Read More
Antibody cocktail better in preventing HIV infection: studies
September 21, 2017, 2:56 pm
WASHINGTON -- A cocktail of two or three antibodies could be more effective than a single one in preventing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission, according to results released Wednesday from two separate monkey studies. In a study published in the US journal Science, researchers… Read More
Mayors asked to help fast-track DOH’s HIV efforts
September 21, 2017, 11:52 am
MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) has enlisted the commitment of mayors to help avert the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the country. Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial and Metro Manila mayors and representatives recently… Read More
Metro Manila hospitals on red alert for Day of Protest
September 20, 2017, 2:46 pm
MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) has put all public hospitals in Metro Manila on Code Red Alert on Thursday, Sept. 21, in anticipation of demonstrations during the National Day of Protest. "All hospitals of DOH in Metro Manila are on red alert tomorrow," Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial… Read More
Bolder global gov't action urged vs. NCDs
September 19, 2017, 1:28 pm
GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday urged governments worldwide to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with "bolder political actions" to save millions of people from premature deaths. The NCDs, primarily cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, cancers and… Read More
Smokers with HIV more likely to die of lung cancer
September 19, 2017, 10:12 am
WASHINGTON -- People living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), who adhere to antiretroviral therapy but smoke cigarettes, are about 10 times, more likely to die of lung cancer than from the AIDS virus itself, a new study said Monday. "Smoking and HIV are a particularly bad combination when… Read More
DOH mulls cook stoves for CCT beneficiaries to curb indoor pollution
September 18, 2017, 3:44 pm
MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) is looking at the possibility of providing poor households covered under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) with quality cooking stoves to address indoor pollution and its ill-effects to the poor. Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial on Monday said they… Read More
