Family planning program suffers due to flip-flopping politicians — official

MANILA, Philippines — Flip-flopping by the political leadership has rendered the country’s family planning program ineffective, health officials said on Tuesday. Dr. Honorata Catibog, director III of the Family Health Office – National Center for Disease Prevention and Control of the Department of Health, said that the evaluation and strategic reviews of the program in different agencies implementing family planning activities showed that a shift in policy pronouncements in the national level has affected its implementation in the local scene.

Health chief: Give couples right to choose contraception mode

MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Enrique Ona has expressed support for a provision in the reproductive health bill that calls for giving couples access to information…

DOH fears surge in diseases due to water shortage

THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday warned of the possible emergence of several diseases due to insufficient water supply in Metro Manila. Dr

Ona on Aquino’s smoking: He’ll do the right thing

MANILA, Philippines — Quitting smoking or not is something that President Benigno Aquino III will have to decide for himself, according to newly appointed Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona.

Is Coffee Good or Bad?

By Philip S. Chua, M.D., PACS,FPCS
Here are some questions asked by readers:
Q: My blood pressure has been normal for more than 6 months, do I have to continue taking my blood pressure ills?
A: There are some exceptions where high blood pressure has turned normal after low-salt diet and exercise, but in general, once a hypertensive, [...]

Life after GMA: Cabinet members study options

BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR Although they’ve grown accustomed to the place, Cabinet members in the Arroyo administration have prepared their itineraries either by taking a vacation, spending time with their families, resorting to farming or looking after their health. Acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra said he may return to “lawyering” or pursue further “studies.” He said he is interested to learn about lot of things like accounting and reading of financial statements.

But we hail cigarette makers, don’t we?

TURF SY OF MALATE, MANILA SUGGESTED that the Department of Health ban tobacco instead of making Noynoy Aquino quit smoking. (Inquirer, 6/1/10) I have this to add:…

TV SPINS OF TOP BETS –> Critical point reached on HIV/AIDS Top bets for president …

BY GERARD NAVAL THE Philippines is on the brink of a “concentrated epidemic” of HIV/AIDS as the number of cases continues to increase, the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday. Dr. Ferchito Avelino, executive director of DOH-Philippine…

DoH pushes for picture warnings on cigarette packs

MANILA, Philippines—In countries like Thailand, Brazil and Canada, graphic ‘picture-based health warnings’ on cigarette packs have increased public knowledge on the ill-effects of smoking, as well as motivated an undisclosed number of smokers to quit the habit. Here, the Department of Health (DoH) has expressed confidence that the government could do the same by requiring tobacco firms to print similar…

MANUEL VILLAR –> DepEd presses sex education program

BY ASHZEL HACHERO EDUCATION Secretary Mona Valisno yesterday said she is confident of getting the nod of the Catholic Church for the inclusion of sex education in the basic education curriculum. Valisno said while she understands the bishops’ concerns, it is preferable that kids learn about sexuality from their teachers rather from the streets

No free pass for pre-campaign pol ads –> Cardinal interrupts rites to defend pope

VATICAN CITY — A leading cardinal, making an unusual address in defense of Pope Benedict at the start of Easter Sunday Mass, said the Church would not be intimidated by “petty gossip” about sexual abuse of children by priests.

DoH working on new round of drug price cuts

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Health is ‘working on’ another round of drug price cuts before President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term ends next June, according to DoH Secretary Esperanza Cabral. However, Cabral said, they were ‘not making any promises.’ The first two rounds of voluntary price reductions by some 20 local pharmaceutical companies covered over 200 types of drugs and health care…

Philippine health chief, church fight over condoms

TERESA CEROJANO Associated Press Writer= MANILA, Philippines (AP) — On Valentine’s Day, Philippine government health workers hit the streets of Manila to hand out roses and condoms to passers-by. The message was clear in a country with a relatively small but rapidly growing HIV-positive population: Avoid unprotected sex.

Dealing with summer’s health woes

MANILA, Philippines–While the ongoing hot months coincide with school break, vacation, relaxation as well as recuperation, these days could also be a trigger for illness and health problems due to the sudden rise in daytime temperature and diet, as well as increased levels of stress and dehydration from traveling. Inquirer Health looks at how to survive the hot months—from heat waves to measles. 1 Dehydration and heatstroke are two things you should watch out for these days

Philippine Catholic bishops call for total ban on condom ads

Manila – Philippine Catholic bishops Wednesday called for a total ban on condom advertisements after the health department vowed to step up promotion of their use to fight the spread of AIDS. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines claimed…

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