NGCP alerts public of kite-flying risks to power lines
CEBU CITY, May 10 (PIA) -- A major concern during summer months is the occurrence of electrocution incidents due to kite-flying since most children are on vacation at this time.
As part of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) line safety program in communities, it reminds the public to observe safety when near high-voltage transmission lines.
In a press statement, the NGCP advised residents living near transmission lines and substations not to risk their safety and their lives by flying kites in close proximity to the transmission facilities.
According to NGCP information officer Elmer Cruz, at the Colon Substation of NGCP in Naga, Cebu, reports of kite strings getting entangled to the conductors and insulators of the switchyard are becoming a cause for concern.
These occurrences may cause the tripping of transmission lines, which are experienced as brownouts or power interruptions by ordinary power consumers in the province, the release read.
NGCP enjoins the public to avoid kite-flying near its high-voltage structures. Other practices such as building fires, planting trees, constructing houses, and installing antennas near transmission facilities are also prohibited according to NGCP.
Cebu City Ordinance No. 1471 prohibits kite flying in roads, streets and places near electrical structures. At other parts of Cebu without a law prohibiting kite flying in dangerous areas, NGCP exerts more effort to educate the public of the hazards of the said activity.
NGCP hopes that through its continuous safety information campaign through the mass media, incidents of tripping, power outages, and electrocution caused by kite-flying will be reduced.(mbcn/hfg/PIA-RO7 & NGCP)
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Free cervical cancer screening at VSMMC
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, May 10 (PIA) -- The Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), in partnership with Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center, conducted free cervical screening for women 30-55 years old for the whole of May for the Cervical Cancer Prevention program to lessen the number of deaths of women who are suffering from cervical cancer.
VSMMC Medical Center Chief, Dr. Gerardo M. Aquino said VSMMC is the only government hospital that conducts a 'Scarlet May' activity or the free cervical screening in the whole region.
In the AGIO-7 forum on May 8, Aquino added that the free cervical screening is an annual activity but only for the whole May.
Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) program manager Ronald de los Reyes disclosed, that in every 10 cervical cancer cases, 7 of those are late stages, subject for death.
He further explained that EJACC could provide treatment assistance for patients who are diagnosed with stage 1 and stage 2 cervical cancer in the whole Metro Cebu.
According to Dr. Imee Ybanez, OB-Gyne of VSMMC, cervical cancer can be prevented through cervical screening. It is next to breast cancer as a cause of deaths of women.
The VSMMC offers free cervical screening for women who are willing to be examined. A Cryotherapy is conducted for women with cervical cancer at the Cervical Cancer Prevention Center (CECAP) at 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. However, they offer free VIA and PAP SMEAR.
"It takes 5-10 minutes to take a bath, an hour to roam around the mall, but it only takes one minute to save oneself," Dr. Ybanez said.
Ybanez added that aside from Pap Smear, the Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) is another method of detecting cervical cancer. This is an alternative to cytology in screening for cervical cancer in poorly resourced location.
This is determined through the pure white reaction when a household vinegar is put in the cervix. The VIA is only suitable to women ages 21-45 years only.
Ybanez explained that some of the risk factors of cervical cancer are multiple sexual intercourse; giving birth 5 times or more, smoking, and early sexual contact for women below 20 years old.
She added that one great cause of Cervical Cancer is the Human papillomavirus (HPV), acquired through sexual intercourse. She also included smoking as a risk factor because of the presence of nicotine that could actually melt the protector of the cervix.
Based on the 2003-2007 cancer registry records, 310 patients were diagnosed to be positive of cervical cancer. However, 70 percent of the 310 cervical cancer patients died, and the remaining 30% also died in the later date due to lack of resources. (mbcn/hfg/PIA-RO7 & Nino Jesryl Maglasang/ CNU Intern)
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DOH: Higher Dengue Cases in 2012
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, May 10 (PIA) --- The Department of Health (DOH-7) noted a 6.1 percent increase in dengue cases in Central Visayas for the period from January 1 to May 5, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011 based on the findings of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU).
DOH-7 regional Director Dr. Asuncion Anden said that from January 1 to May 5, 2012 there were 2,049 dengue cases with 19 deaths recorded compared to last year's 1,931 dengue cases with 14 deaths.
Highest cases of dengue this were in Cebu City with 1,053 and 9 deaths. Lapu-Lapu City follows with 115 cases and 2 deaths while Minglanilla has 110 dengue cases with one death and Talisay City at 93 with no death and Liloan at 78 with one death.
According to Anden it had been good news for Mandaue City after dropping from the second highest cases in 2011 to seventh place in 2012.
"Its dengue cases went down to more than 50 percent, base on the findings," Anden said.
Ages people with dengue cases range from one month to 87 years old but most of those affected were under the 6-10 years old group.
Government's program against dengue is called "Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue" or ABaKaDa, Anden said. This involves regular clean-up in the communities with the leaders and the people in the barangay.
"Yet, there are those who continuously ignore the importance of being clean, that is why there are still victims of this epidemic disease," Anden noted.
The DOH director repeatedly reminded the people to always check and clean those materials that may store water where mosquitoes can breed. (mbcn/hfg/PIA-RO7 & Mayette A. Baring/CNU Intern)