Health and Lifestyle
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
9-day low-sugar diet leads to less fatty liver in kids
August 29, 2017, 1:58 pm
SAN FRANCISCO – A nine-day experimental diet that cuts out a type of sugar in soft drinks, fruit juices and most processed foods significantly reversed the buildup of liver fat in children and adolescents. Contacted over the phone, Susan Noworolski, associate professor of radiology and… Read More
PhilHealth to cover film industry workers with social health insurance
August 26, 2017, 3:22 pm
MANILA --The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Saturday said self-earning film industry workers such as cameramen, gaffers, actors, directors, producers, and their qualified legal dependents will be provided with social health insurance coverage.PhilHealth Head Executive Assistant… Read More
7 more suspected bird flu cases being monitored
August 26, 2017, 9:33 am
MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring the health of seven persons who have been exposed to infected fowls and have shown symptoms of flu. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) director Dr. Soccoro Lupisan said Friday putting the seven under observation is part of steps… Read More
DOH allays public fears of eating poultry
August 25, 2017, 8:28 pm
MANILA – It is safe to eat chicken and eggs despite the bird flu outbreak in two provinces, health and agriculture officials said Friday. And to drive home their point, Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial led the other officials in taking a bite of fried chicken and a hard-boiled egg in front of… Read More
Still no human case of bird flu: DOH
August 25, 2017, 6:20 pm
MANILA -- The 34 people from Pampanga and Nueva Ecija who have manifested flu-like symptoms have all tested negative for avian influenza, Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial said Friday. "As of Aug. 24, 2017, there has been no confirmed human case due to Influenza A (H5N6)," Ubial told reporters… Read More
More couples practice family planning
August 25, 2017, 4:24 pm
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The City Health Office announced that more couples are now becoming conscious on the benefits of raising a well-planned family.This, as the City Health Office recorded that the number of couples who practiced family planning have increased to 52,878 in 2016 from 50,616 in… Read More
FDA launches electronic logbook app
August 25, 2017, 1:40 pm
MANILA – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a mobile application that would eliminate paper logbooks and collect data and life-saving insights. According to FDA director general Nela Charade Puno, the “Electronic Logbook” app, which was donated by the health tech startup… Read More
Quitting smokers asked to access hotline properly
August 25, 2017, 11:29 am
MANILA – To ensure the success of the Department of Health’s (DOH) National Quitline, a lung specialist called on smokers who want to kick the habit to access the hotline properly to prevent glitches. Member of the Council on COPD and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Dr. Glynna Ong-Cabrera, said the… Read More