Category: Medical

Ilocos Region, Philippines - The Department of Health-Center for Health Development in the Ilocos Region (DOH-CHD-1) is intensifying its efforts to combat diabetes through regular free mobile diabetic screenings and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

According to Philippines News Agency, these initiatives are crucial in addressing the increasing cases of diabetes in the region. In a phone interview, Baclig Jr. emphasized the importance of physical activity in diabetes prevention, recommending at least two and a half hours per week of moderate to intense exercise, or daily 20-minute sessions. He highlighted the role of exercise in preventing obesity, a key factor in the development of diabetes and other diseases. Baclig Jr. also cautioned against the health risks associated with prolonged sitting, comparing its dangers to those of smoking.

DOH-CHD-1 identifies the major risk factors for non-communicable diseases like diabetes as physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, smoking, and harmful alcohol use. Baclig Jr. informed that diabetic patients could access services at Rural Health Units, while the DOH-CHD-1 conducts health service missions across the region.

DOH-CHD-1 director Paula Paz Sydiongco stated on Wednesday that healthcare access for diabetes patients is a priority, leading to the deployment of mobile diabetic screening tests in municipalities. These efforts include the distribution of free maintenance medicines and regular consultations to reduce the need for hospital visits.

Sydiongco mentioned that the DOH, alongside partner agencies and stakeholders, regularly conducts diabetes education, nutrition consultations, diabetes testing and monitoring, diet, and weight management to ensure patients have access to proper care and information.

The 2022 Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS) report showed that 7,174 new diabetic patients were recorded last year in the Ilocos Region, including 323 from Ilocos Norte, 902 from Ilocos Sur, 1,425 from La Union, 3,931 from Pangasinan, and 593 from Dagupan City. From 2016-2022, the region has a total of 115,112 recorded diabetes cases.

Brunei - The Department of Radiology at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital has introduced cutting-edge medical imaging machines, expected to enhance diagnostic capabilities and treatment effectiveness. The launch event took place on the afternoon of November 16th.

According to Radio Television Brunei, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Health, officiated the unveiling of the new 3.0 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and 128 Dual Source Computed Tomography (CT) machines. The advanced MRI machine features Biomatrix technology, designed to enhance patient comfort and adapt to individual respiratory rates for more precise imaging. The introduction of these technologies is expected to significantly increase productivity and efficiency in patient care. The CT Scan Machine, incorporating Artificial Intelligence, offers faster and more consistent scanning capabilities. This development marks a significant step forward in the quality of healthcare services provided in Brunei.

Cagayan de Oro - In response to rising suicide cases, the city government of Cagayan de Oro will deploy mental health focal persons across its barangays. This initiative is part of a larger campaign to address depression and prevent suicides. Dr. Jaymee Pagaspas, psychosocial unit chief of the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), revealed during a media briefing on Wednesday that the city has recorded 47 suicide cases in the first three quarters of the year.

According to Philippines News Agency, Pagaspas stated that the deployment would initially cover 40 of the city's 80 barangays. These mental health focal persons will play a crucial role in identifying and guiding individuals facing mental health issues, providing initial care and assessment, and connecting them with CSWD services. A significant contributing factor to the city's suicide cases is family problems, with communication and handling of mental health issues within families identified as key challenges. To further support this initiative, CSWD has launched the "Telekonsulta" 24/7 hotline, which has received 262 calls, with a higher proportion of female callers (155) compared to male callers (107).

Brunei Darussalam: In a concerning revelation, the Ministry of Health in Brunei Darussalam has reported that half of the children and teenagers aged 5 to 19 in the country are either overweight or obese. This data, released by the Ministry, positions obesity as a primary risk factor for diabetes, a growing health concern in the nation. The announcement comes in line with the observance of World Diabetes Day 2023, held annually on November 14th. According to the Ministry of Health.

According to Radio Television Brunei, the high prevalence of obesity underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures. Key strategies include adopting a balanced healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and maintaining an appropriate body weight. The Ministry emphasizes that prevention, through awareness of diabetes risk factors and early intervention, is crucial in combating the disease.

Manila – The Department of Health (DOH) is currently investigating reports of a possible leak of the Philippines' COVID-19 vaccination data, which was stored in the World Health Organization (WHO) database. In a public statement, the DOH confirmed receiving reports about the compromised data and is working closely with WHO and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to ascertain the validity of these claims and to evaluate any potential data breaches.

According to Philippines News Agency, The DOH has committed to providing more information to the public as soon as it is available and has reassured citizens of ongoing efforts to ensure data privacy and the security of DOH-managed data systems. This investigation comes in the wake of recent hacking incidents and data breaches, prompting the department to urge the public to remain vigilant and secure their digital information. The DOH's response highlights the increasing importance of data security in the digital age, especially concerning sensitive health information.

Manila – The Department of Education (DepEd), in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), has committed to addressing various health issues impacting school-aged children. In a meeting on Monday, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte and Health Secretary Ted Herbosa discussed a range of health-related challenges in schools, including Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI), reported HIV/AIDS cases among school-aged children, teenage pregnancies, and the mental wellness of students.

According to Philippines News Agency, Duterte, many challenges in schools stem from physical and mental health issues, not solely educational quality. The DepEd and DOH will focus on identifying the causes of ILI outbreaks in schools and implement preventive measures to safeguard the health of both students and staff. Efforts will also be concentrated on increasing awareness and providing accurate information to combat the rising incidence of HIV/AIDS among school-age children.

The partnership between the two agencies aims to develop comprehensive strategies to reduce teenage pregnancies and support pregnant students, ensuring they can continue their education. Additionally, programs to address mental health issues among students will be implemented, including stress management, counseling services, and the creation of a supportive environment. By prioritizing the physical and mental well-being of students, DepEd and DOH intend to foster a learning environment conducive to the holistic development of learners.

Duterte expressed gratitude for the collaboration with DOH and emphasized the importance of focusing on students' health to ensure their overall development. In another development, the DepEd also thanked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the timely release of honoraria to teachers and personnel who served in the recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). The agency acknowledged the receipt of 100 percent of the election honoraria by DepEd personnel and extended gratitude to the Public Attorney's Office, the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other agencies for their support during the polls.

Brunei Darussalam: At the Ministry of Health area, a significant environmental step was taken with the planting of 127 trees, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint in line with the Green Protocol. The tree planting event took place this afternoon at Dewan Al'- Afiah, Ministry of Health.

According to Radio Television Brunei, The initiative was attended by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Health. The Green Protocol, which was officiated on January 30, 2021, forms a part of the Brunei Darussalam Climate Change National Policy. This initiative reflects the ministry's commitment to environmental sustainability and its role in combating climate change.

Manila, Philippines - Former Health Secretary and current Iloilo Representative Janette Garin has posted bail for graft and technical malversation charges related to the controversial Dengvaxia dengue vaccine purchase. Garin maintained her innocence in the case.

According to Philippines News Agency, government funds to procure the Dengvaxia vaccine, valued at PHP3.5 billion. According to Garin, her co-accused, including former Health Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo, former DOH officer in charge Director Maria Joyce Ducusin, former Health Undersecretary Kenneth Hartigan-Go, and former Philippine Children's Medical Center executive director Julius Lecciones, have also posted bail.

Garin remarked, "Posting bail is part of the agonizing process to prove our innocence. It is a crucial step in ensuring a fair trial and safeguarding one's rights." She expressed hope that this initial step would lead to a timely resolution of the case, which has significantly impacted public confidence in vaccines, resulting in measles and polio outbreaks in the Philippines. Garin stressed, "Resolving the issue once and for all is aligned to the Doctors for Truth clamor because global history has taught us that any vaccine demonized usually spreads to include other vaccine-preventable diseases and results in outbreaks."

The Ombudsman's investigation revealed that the procurement of Dengvaxia from Sanofi Pasteur in 2016 was not part of the health department's expanded immunization program (EPI) and that the vaccines were not listed in Volume 1 of the Philippine National Drug Formulary, violating Executive Order 49, series of 1993, and related administrative orders and issuances. The recommended bail was set at PHP90,000 per respondent in the graft case, and PHP18,000 each in the technical malversation case. Over 800,000 school children were vaccinated in 2016 with Dengvaxia, before Sanofi announced potential adverse effects on those without prior dengue infection.

Benguet, Philippines - Around 2,000 job vacancies are up for grabs at a job fair scheduled for November 13 to 14 at the Benguet provincial capital, part of the month-long Adivay festival. Julie Tabcao, the province's Public Employment Services Office (PESO) chief, revealed that 12 local companies and 10 overseas manpower agencies are participating in the two-day event, which coincides with the 123rd Benguet Foundation Day.

According to Philippines News Agency, this annual job fair has become an institutionalized component of the Adivay festival, aimed at assisting residents in their job search. As of Monday, over 300 job seekers had pre-registered with the PESO office, and a significant number of walk-in applicants were already exploring the available vacancies. Tabcao advised those attending the second day of the fair to come prepared with necessary documents, including a resume, employment certificates, passport-size photos, professional licenses for board passers, and passports for those interested in overseas positions.

The job fair features a diverse range of vacancies, with local mining and utility companies like Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation, Itogon-Suyoc Resources Inc., and Aboitiz subsidiary Hedcor Inc. looking to hire for various roles including engineers. Other local companies are offering positions such as customer service representatives, heavy equipment operators, cashiers, butchers, and geologists. For overseas employment, there is a notable demand for welders and heavy equipment operators, particularly in Japan and other countries.

Gadong - On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, celebrated on 12th November, the Minister of Health highlighted the increasing health concerns related to diabetes in Gadong.

According to Radio Television Brunei, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, stated that diabetic retinopathy rates in the country have increased from 18% to 22.8% over two decades. Furthermore, the prevalence of severe diabetic retinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy has nearly doubled from 3.7% in 2015 to 6.3% in 2022. The minister also noted that 70% of patients undergoing dialysis for end-stage renal disease are diabetic.

Yang Berhormat emphasized the global rise in diabetes, with Brunei Darussalam witnessing a significant increase in obesity, a key factor linked to type 2 diabetes. Citing the World Health Organization's data, he mentioned that Brunei Darussalam's obesity rate stood at 32% in 2022, a substantial rise from 8.2% in 1990. Additionally, the STEPS 2015-2016 survey found that nearly two-thirds of Brunei's population are categorized as overweight or obese. Alarmingly, half of the children and adolescents aged between 5 to 19 in the country are also overweight or obese.

During the event, which was organized by the Department of Internal Medicine and the Health Promotion Centre of the Ministry of Health, five winners of an art competition organized by the Paediatric Department of Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital were awarded. The theme 'Access to Diabetes Care' underscored the necessity of improving diabetes care access for all patients.

Baguio City - In Baguio City, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. expressed his hope for a longer tenure for future PNP chiefs. Acorda, set to retire on December 3 upon reaching the mandatory age of 56, shared his views after being honored with a testimonial parade at Fort Del Pilar. He cited the benefits of a longer tour of duty, particularly in sustaining programs and projects within the PNP.

According to Philippines News Agency,Acorda noted that frequent changes in leadership could lead to shifts in priorities and challenges in budget allocation. The current system in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, established under Republic Act 11709, offers a fixed three-year term for key military positions, something Acorda suggests could be beneficial for the PNP. He expressed his desire to be remembered as a PNP chief who promoted community engagement and interaction with the police, reflecting on his journey and the impact of his training at the Philippine Military Academy.

Gaza Strip - Hospitals in the Gaza Strip are facing severe challenges due to an acute fuel shortage, leading medical staff to resort to primitive methods for conducting surgeries. In a new release by the Palestinian Red Crescent, it was reported that surgeons at the Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza are performing procedures in darkened operating rooms using flashlights. This drastic situation arises from power outages caused by the ongoing fuel crisis.

According to Philippines News Agency, The Palestinian Red Crescent has indicated an imminent threat to the Al-Quds hospital's operations due to the exhaustion of fuel reserves. Despite communication and internet disruptions lasting three days, the hospital staff is committed to maintaining operations. Currently, Al-Quds hospital is experiencing isolation with all access roads blocked, a consequence of the ongoing Israeli bombardment in the area. The Ministry of Health in Gaza has confirmed that 18 hospitals and 46 health centers have become non-operational due to Israeli strikes, severely impacting patient care.

This crisis has put over 3,000 children at risk of losing access to essential oncology and dialysis treatments. Additionally, approximately 50,000 pregnant women are without crucial prenatal and postnatal care for over a month. The situation worsened as almost all hospitals in the besieged Gaza Strip, including Al-Shifa, have been targeted in Israeli airstrikes. Israel's air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which commenced following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on October 7, have resulted in significant casualties. Official figures report at least 11,078 Palestinians killed, including 4,506 children and 3,027 women, while the Israeli death toll nears 1,600.