C. Visayas nears meeting target in reducing maternal mortality rate, DOH-7 reports
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY , December 12 (PIA) -- Central Visayas is nearing in meeting its target of reducing maternal mortality rate (MMR) to an acceptable level under the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG), the Department of Health (DOH) here reported.
DOH-7 Regional Director Dr. Susana Madarieta said MMR in the region stands at 56:100,000 population or about 56 women out of 100,000 population die due to pregnancy-related causes.
“The acceptable level under the MDG is 52:100,000. This means that we are nearing in achieving our target of reducing the maternal mortality rate to an acceptable level,” Madarieta claimed.
Madarieta cited their Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP) as a major factor that caused the decline in MMR in the region.
The HFEP is the provision of a financial assistance or the allotment of a certain budget by the National Government through the DOH given to rural health units (RHUs) and the district hospitals to improve their healthcare facilities so that they can be accredited with the Phil Health.
“For this year alone, the DOH gave P240M budget for RHUs and district hospitals throughout the region to upgrade their facilities,” Madarieta bared.
By upgrading the health care facilities of RHUs and district hospitals, the latter can now refer caesarian cases to RHUs because they now are adequately equipped in handling caesarian delivery, the DOH-7 chief disclosed.
This resulted to the decrease in our maternal mortality rate in Central Visayas which before stands at 62:100,000. But now, the maternal mortality rate is already at 56:100,000,” Madarieta reported.
Under the ‘Kalusugan Pangkalahatan’ or ‘Universal Health Care For All,’ where basic quality health care services are accessible to all most especially the poor, the DOH is closely working with the Department of Social Welfare and Development for a list of indigents identified through the National Housing Targeting System.
These indigents are enrolled with Phil Health so they can have access to basic health care services in hospitals accredited with Phil Health, this is said.
Next year, another budget will again be allocated for the RHUs and district hospitals in the region but the amount is lesser, Madarieta said.
Madarieta said it is a continuing process to upgrade the facilities and equipment of public hospitals and health care units.
“The government is committed to meeting the objectives of the United Nations Millennium Dvelopment Goals including reducing maternal and infant mortality rate to acceptable levels,” the DOH-7 chief stressed. (PIA-Cebu)
============
Regulate food intake during the holidays to avoid heart diseases
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, December 12 (PIA) -- Regulate food intake and do not eat too much fatty foods this Christmas as the incidence of cardiovascular diseases usually rises right after the holidays, the Department of Health (DOH) here warned.
DOH-7 Regional Director Dr. Susana Madarieta advised the public to refrain from eating too much “lechon,” “ham” and too much sweet because these can be factors that shoot up blood pressure.
“We have observed that the incidence of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension is usually on an upward trend after Christmas and New Year based on the number of admissions to hospitals due to high blood pressure,” Madarieta said.
The DOH-7 chief however, did not provide the data but replied that cardiovascular diseases are the top cause of mortality rate among Filipinos.
“Cardiovascular diseases and cancer just interchange with each other as the top cause of death among Filipinos,” Madraieta claimed.
Too much sweet is also not good especially those with diabetes, the DOH-7 official said.
Madarieta said it is already a culture among Filipinos to have plenty of food during celebrations particularly Christmas and New Year. “It is okay to eat foods we seldom prepare during ordinary days such as ‘lechon’ and ‘ham’ but that we must not eat this almost everyday. And also to eat plenty of vegetables and a variety of fruits,” she added.
“We must always practice a healthy lifestyle. Eat plenty of nutritious foods such as vegetables and fruits, exercise and stay away from vices such as smoking and consuming too much alcohol,” Madarieta further advised.
All hospitals in the region will adopt the “code white,” meaning, all doctors and nurses and other healthcare professionals are on call 24/7, this is learned. (PIA-Cebu)
===========
DOH-7 intensifies APIR campaign to reduce
firecracker-related injuries this Christmas
by Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, December 12 (PIA) -- Though incidence of firecracker-related injuries is declining in Central Visayas, the Department of Health (DOH) 7 wants to have zero accidents this Christmas as it intensifies its program on ‘Aksyon Paputok Injury Reduction’ (APIR) campaign.
DOH-7 Regional Director Dr. Susana Madarieta said the APIR campaign refers to the completeness of the five fingers in doing the “appear” sign where a person makes a big sound through a clap with another person’s hand.
“Usually, fingers are the common body part affected in firecracker injuries. In severe cases, some fingers are amputated,” the DOH-7 chief claimed.
Last year, there were 47 cases recorded by the DOH-7 that sought medical treatment due to firecracker injuries.
Cebu City had the highest number of cases with 35 and six each from Bohol and Negros Oriental. Seven of the total cases involved injury to the eye, this is learned.
“The most common culprit is the use of kwitis,” according to Madarieta.
In 2009, there were also 47 cases of firecracker-related injuries and in 2008, 58 cases were recorded by the DOH-7 with the most number again, coming from Cebu City .
Under the firecrackers law, the police will only confiscate certain firecrackers that are prohibited such as ‘super lolo’, super thunder and goodbye Philippines .
The DOH-7 however, urged the public instead to make alternative noise other than the use of firecrackers.
“We could use the ‘torotot’ horn (noise maker), or conk our car horn. We could even just take out our cooking pot and tap it with a huge metal ladle to create a huge noise,” Madarieta said.
“It is better to be safe and have our fingers complete after the holidays rather than greet the Christmas and New Year with few fingers left,” Madarieta ended. (PIA-Cebu)