Health and Lifestyle
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
Blame dietary habits, not genes, for toothache: study
September 14, 2017, 5:26 pm
WASHINGTON -- Your mother was right. The condition of your teeth depends on your dietary and oral hygiene habits, not your genes, according to a new study out Wednesday that looked at the role that genes and the oral microbiome play in the formation of cavities. "Limiting sugar consumption and… Read More
Dengue cases in Cavite drop 20%
September 14, 2017, 9:50 am
TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite -- The number of dengue cases in Cavite province during the first eight months of 2017 dropped by 20 percent as compared to the same period last year, the Provincial Health Office’s Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) said Thursday. In an interview,… Read More
Menopausal hormone therapy not linked to early death
September 13, 2017, 3:02 pm
WASHINGTON -- Taking hormone therapy to treat menopausal symptoms like hot flashes does not increase a woman's risk of early death, according to a long-term follow-up of trials that were stopped early due to health concerns. The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) research completely changed the… Read More
Watch out for landslides, leptospirosis: DOH
September 13, 2017, 1:45 pm
MANILA – With Tropical Depression Maring dumping heavy rains in various parts of Luzon on Tuesday, the health department issued twin advisories, cautioning the public against landslides and leptospirosis. "Landslides happen when there are unstable slopes during or after heavy rains or droughts,… Read More
Health experts: Why first-time mothers hesitate to vaccinate children
September 8, 2017, 8:10 pm
SYDNEY -- First-time mothers are increasingly hesitant to vaccinate their children, according to a study released Friday. The study said that nearly half of all first-time mothers had concerns over vaccinating their children. The study conducted by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute found… Read More
Public warned vs. buying vaccines from unauthorized online sellers
September 8, 2017, 11:23 am
MANILA -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday warned the public against purchasing Japanese encephalitis vaccine and other vaccines that are sold by unauthorized distributors or retailers online. In its Advisory No. 2017-265, the FDA said it has received reports that these vaccines,… Read More
Public urged to intensify efforts vs. mosquitoes
September 7, 2017, 8:32 pm
MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday called on the public to intensify their efforts to prevent mosquito-borne diseases, such as Dengue, Chikungunya and Japanese Encephalitis (JE), especially during the rainy season. In a statement, the department noted that while its Epidemiology… Read More
Advocates seek Duterte’s help in legalizing medical cannabis
September 6, 2017, 3:33 pm
MANILA – Proponents of medical cannabis have again made a push for the legalization of the medical use of marijuana, this time seeking the help of no less than President Rodrigo Duterte himself. Dr. Donnabel Cunanan, member of the Philippine Cannabis Compassion Society (PCCS) executive… Read More
DOH plans to include Japanese encephalitis in 2018 vaccination program
September 6, 2017, 10:56 am
MANILA – Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial said Tuesday they are planning to include Japanese encephalitis in their immunization program for next year. In an interview, Ubial noted though that there has been no surge in the incidence of Japanese encephalitis this year, compared to last year.… Read More
PhilHealth offers packages for illnesses during rainy season
September 5, 2017, 10:41 pm
MANILA -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has benefit packages for members and their dependents who are hospitalized for illnesses common during the rainy season, an official said Monday. These packages are for such illnesses as mild to severe dengue fever, influenza, and… Read More
Air ambulance resumes flight in Palawan: DOH
September 4, 2017, 4:32 pm
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- The Department of Health (DOH)-MIMAROPA announced Monday morning the resumption of regular flights in Palawan by its air ambulance to serve patients who need emergency services in remote barangays and island areas. DOH-MIMAROPA Regional Director Eduardo… Read More
No new suspected bird flu cases: DOH
September 2, 2017, 5:22 pm
MANILA --The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday said no new cases of suspected bird flu infection were detected as the surveillance period ends Sunday."No new case. Basically (we can say that) after culling (period), bird flu-free na until (any) new case appears," DOH Secretary Paulyn Ubial… Read More
DOH holds dialogue with patients, CSOs in Mindanao
September 1, 2017, 11:27 am
MANILA -- Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial recently held a dialogue with patients’ groups and civil society organizations (CSOs) based in Mindanao in an effort to strengthen their line of communication. “The 4th Policy Dialogue on Universal Health Care and Access to… Read More
Leptospirosis up 71% in first 8 months of the year: DOH
August 31, 2017, 10:55 pm
MANILA -- Suspected cases of leptospirosis nationwide rose 71.1 percent, reaching 910 from Jan. 1 to Aug. 5 this year compared to 532 cases in the same period last year, the Department of Health (DOH) reported. Of the 910 suspected cases, 96 resulted in death, compared to 50 in the same period in… Read More
All suspected human cases of bird flu tested negative: Ubial
August 29, 2017, 4:22 pm
MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed Tuesday that 39 patients, who have been exposed to chickens in areas with a bird flu outbreak and have shown flu-like symptoms, have tested negative of avian influenza. "Sa ngayon, ang na-establish natin is lahat ng sakit ay confined sa manok or… Read More
