Sarangani celebrates Breastfeeding Awareness Month

Alabel, SARANGANI (August 27, 2015) - Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao inspects the extracted breast milk in a milk bag presented by midwife Gloria Abella (center) and Dionisa Albao (right), a breastfeeding mom and Capitol employee, Tuesday, August 25, at the Capitol Breastfeeding Station. This is part of the campaign on the promotion of breastfeeding in celebration of the Breastfeeding Awareness Month, which is in compliance to Republic Act No. 10028, otherwise known as the expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act. Inset is the Capitol Breastfeeding Station which opened to the public in January 2015 pursuant to Provincial Ordinance No. 2015-8-055, “An ordinance establishing and maintaining breastfeeding stations in the Government Agencies and private work place in the Province of Sarangani in the promotion of breastfeeding and providing penalties thereof”. (Quenny Dandan/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Why do pupils and teachers get vaccinated?

By BEVERLY PAOYON

 

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 13, 2015) - Around 21,000 school children and teachers throughout Sarangani are being immunized this month against Measles Rubella, Tetanus-diptheria and Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

 

With the P100 million the Department of Health (DOH) has allocated for the school-based immunization program, millions of school children belonging to the top 20 poorest provinces in the country would obtain the booster vaccines for free. Sarangani belongs to this group.

 

However, the provincial government augmented a P1-million budget to cover the first 100 female teachers belonging to the 22 to 30 years old age bracket for their HPV vaccine as one component in the prevention of cervical cancer.

 

Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon explained this as a Sulong Kalusugan scheme of the provincial government to have health safety precaution for kids and teachers.  

 

Solon appreciated the intervention that DOH rolled out in public schools that gives immunity of these children “to diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria and tetanus that have been noted to be cause of deaths among children.”

 

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Arvin Alejandro, however, reported no cases of outbreaks in Sarangani on the mentioned diseases.

 

He said HPV was the second leading cause of deaths among the general population in the Philippines.

 

Dr. Alejandro said studies showed HPV was the primary cause of cervical cancer for females aged 14 to 44 years old. He pointed out that this group belongs to the sexually active population.

 

“The moment you are sexually active then the risk of having Human Papillomavirus is also high,” he said. Immunization would be a preventive action to protect this group from the virus.

 

The combined measles rubella and tetanus-diptheria vaccination cover Grade 1 to Grade 7 while Grade 4 pupils with ages 9 to 13 will be given HPV as an integral immunization strategy. This would eliminate measles and tetanus and control mumps, rubella and diphtheria alongside the prevention of cervical cancer.

Several years from now, these children will reach their productivity stage “hence they should be vaccinated with HPV. Dapat healthy sila all throughout,” Dr. Alejandro said.

 

The National School-Based Adolescent Immunization covers school children and adolescents during the whole month of August.

 

In Sarangani, the program kicked-off with a ceremonial provincial launching on August 3 in Barangay Malandag where a number of children and teachers got vaccinated.

 

Some 4,100 Grade 1 pupils, 10,000 Grade 7 pupils and 10,000 Grade 4 pupils in Sarangani are the target beneficiaries of the immunization program. This intervention, Dr. Alejandro said, is steered towards the provincial government’s goal of “achieving 95% coverage among target school children for a better health outcome.” (Beverly Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

August is Bakuna Month

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 4, 2015) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon comforts Justine dela Cruz, a Grade 1 pupil of Malandag Central Elementary School, after receiving his immunization on Measles Rubella and Tetanus Diptheria Monday, August 3. Sulong Kalusugan component of the Sulong Sarangani program gave vaccines for Measles Rubella, Tetanus Diptheria and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) during the province-wide launching of School-Based Immunization Program held in Malandag Gymnasium. The event was also attended by Schools Division Superintendent Isagani dela Cruz, local officials, school teachers, parents and 780 pupils from Malandag Central Elementary School and Malandag National High School. (Kim Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)

Province-wide school-based immunization begins

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 4, 2015) - Dr. Arvin Alejandro (2^nd from right), provincial health officer, and Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon lead the ceremonial administration of vaccine during the province-wide launching of School-Based Immunization Program Monday, August 3. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

 

Sarangani supports call to end HIV/AIDS

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

 

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 19, 2015) – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) has performed voluntary HIV testing and counseling to pave the way for treatment of patients.

 

This would also generate baseline data of HIV in Sarangani Province and help prevent its spread.

 

PHO head Dr. Arvin Alejandro said HIV testing was one of the major activities during the simultaneous nationwide Hi-5 Caravan held at the Capitol gym on June 23.

 

The health caravan focused on the promotion of health information and services on maternal and child health, men’s health, adolescent health, health for the elderly, and nutrition.

 

Alejandro said an official report from General Santos City health office showed that 16 people living with HIV (PLHIV) were from Sarangani.

 

Alejandro treated the report as “very alarming. Even one case is very alarming.”  

 

Dr. Ali Tumama of the Department of Health (DOH) said these cases were traced back to the first discovery of the disease in 1984 up to the present. Dr. Tumama is the DOH regional program manager for sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS.

 

Dr. Mely Lastimoso, coordinator of social hygiene clinic of General Santos City Integrated Health Services Office, earlier reported her office has diagnosed 206 cases since 2007 covering SOCSARGEN area and its nearby cities. Fifty of them already died, she said.

 

Dr. Tumama disclosed that from the cases Dr. Lastimoso reported, around 170 were coming from General Santos City.

 

Dr. Tumama said Region 12 has 3% of the total 23,000 PLHIV in the Philippines. As cases increase, he said “chances to be infected with the disease in the country are estimated at 23 persons per day.”

 

Dr. Tumama said a satellite treatment hub in General Santos City is underway and the antiretroviral (ARV) drug would be available starting July in the social hygiene clinic in the city.

 

The government is spending bulk of its funds from sin taxes for the purchase of ARV, a treatment that slows down progression of the disease and may lead to a near-normal life expectancy.

 

Roughly P70,000 is estimated for the annual treatment per PLHIV per year which the government covers.

 

Even if ARV reduces risks of death and complications, Dr. Lastimoso stressed a PLHIV should make it a point to follow a treatment adherence program. This means “strictly no delays in taking medicine. The 100 virus count might multiply into a thousand viruses if not taken religiously.”

 

“ARV is a single dose daily treatment for life.” Dr. Lastimoso said this would react by boosting the immune system level of PLHIV up to 1,800 while normal immune system count ranges only from 600 to 1,200.

 

Contrary to the extent of 10 years that PHLIV could live which the books say, Dr. Lastimoso said “the longest AIDS can stay in the body these days is six years.”

 

HIV/AIDS or human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome is a virus that weakens the body’s ability to fight infections and diseases.

 

It can primarily be transmitted thru sexual contact, blood and blood products like blood transfusion, needle sharing among injecting drug users and thru mother to child transmission during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding.

 

Dr. Lastimoso said blood transfusion and sharing of needles, however, are the fastest means to transmit the disease with 90% engaging into these would likely become carriers of the disease. While sexual contact is still the leading common cause, it is accounted for only 0.5% to 1%.

 

Dr. Alejandro said there are plans to create a provincial HIV/AIDS council for Sarangani. A proposal on this, he said, was submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in 2014.

 

Last May, health providers in Glan Medicare Community Hospital conducted a crusade to support the global call to end the spread of HIV/AIDS.

 

Dr. Eden Rose Malanao, Medical Officer V of the hospital, said raising social awareness on the disease was pursued to bring down the “stigma and discrimination” for people living with HIV.

 

Since the medication is already obtainable, “all it takes is for people from all walks of life to undergo tests to avail of the medicine,” Malanao said. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Paraiso ZOD verified

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 19, 2015) – Morsalin Diga, Provincial Health Office sanitary inspector, interviews Marcelita Palawan regarding the access to sanitary toilet in Barangay Paraiso. This is to verify the declaration of the barangay as a Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) area by the municipal government of Alabel. This initiative is part of the Sulong Kalusugan-JINKEENATION, a province-wide sanitation campaign in support to the provincial goal of Sarangani as a ZOD province in 2016. (Marvin N. Soler/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Gov. Solon, medics host Hi-5 Caravan

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 19, 2015) – Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, doctors and other health workers host the Hi-5 Caravan of the Department of Health at the Capitol gym on June 23. The health caravan focused on the promotion of health information and services on maternal and child health, men’s health, adolescent health, health for the elderly, and nutrition. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFOORMATION OFFIICE)

Starkey coming back for hearing mission

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 10, 2015) – Starkey Hearing Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to building better lives for hearing-impaired people across the world, will visit Sarangani the third time for a hearing mission.

This time, the provincial government of Sarangani targets around 1,230 people to benefit from Starkey’s hearing aid gift-giving that costs roughly P15,000 to P20,000 each set.

The visit is slated in November.

Starkey is the world’s leading manufacturer of comprehensive hearing solutions and donates thousands of hearing aids in many countries every year.

At least 385 persons were already screened but only 256 qualified and underwent ear impression while 39 others were referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist volunteer physician for a possible ear infection treatment.

Starkey is the partner foundation of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon’s office in its Serbisyong Sarangan Outreach Program that is anchored on addressing the needs of the less fortunate and people with disability (PWD) who have hearing defects.

The program also serves to create a friendly environment for PWDs in the province.

Program manager Asma Akmad said the partnership with Starkey was an offshoot of their effort of exploring possible partners that could help them “provide the needs of PWDs like hearing aids, and mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes and crutches.”

In 2013, Starkey distributed P9.3 million worth of hearing aids to some 1,200 patients in the province.

Last year, a total of 1,570 patients from all over SOCSARGEN area and Cagayan de Oro got their early Christmas gift from the foundation.

Akmad said, Starkey spent around P34.5 million for all types of hearing instruments that were distributed in their 2015 mission in the province. This included the seven specialized hearing aids costing P120,000 a set for those patients with no outer ear.

The provincial government “is very thankful for the assistance of Starkey because we could not cater all concerns of our PWDs here,” Akmad said. “At least, with our partnership with them, the needs of our PWDs could now be answered thru a gift giving from the foundation.”

On July 14 to 17, Akmad and her team will visit Kiamba, Maasim, Glan and Malungon for a phase one hearing screening. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Pregnant women take Nutrition Month lessons

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - Pregnant women listen closely as municipal health office workers give them a lecture on how to be mindful of their health and that of their baby during the Nutrition Month celebration at the municipal gymnasium Monday, July 6. The celebration was participated in by over 300 residents, some 200 of them pregnant women. The rest were from the municipal government, barangay officials and some interested individuals. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Nutrition + exercise = correct weight

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - A healthy pregnant woman introduces herself before the crowd during the search for healthy preggies and kiddies in line with the celebration of Nutrition Month 2015 at the municipal gymnasium Monday, July 6. Nutrition Month aims to make people aware about how they can prevent obesity. It celebrates with the theme "Timbang iwasto sa tamang nutrisyon at ehersisyo” (Correct weight through right nutrition and exercise). (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Maitum launches Nutrition Month

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - Doctor Marielyn Silauso performs free oral examination to a pregnant client during the launching of Nutrition Month 2015 at the municipal gymnasium Monday, July 6. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

“10 Kumainments” for proper nutrition

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - Municipal health office workers show the “10 Kumainments" to Municipal Hall officials and employees during the flag raising ceremony Monday, July 6. The list is a reminder in line with the launching of the Nutrition Month celebration with the theme "Timbang iwasto sa tamang nutrisyon at ehersisyo” (Correct weight through right nutrition and exercise). (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

U4U Teen Trail held

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 25, 2015) - Dave Sapalo, a U4U youth facilitator, discusses the rights of teens to protection against human trafficking, child abuse and child prostitution during the U4U Teen Trail Tuesday, June 23. The activity is a component of the province wide health caravan dubbed as Universal Health Care High Impact Five of the Department of Health which involves provision of various health services such as medical, dental, laboratory, HIV/AIDS screening and counseling and lectures for the youth. The teen trail is part of the U4U Program (You-for-You), a Youth Hub Initiative of the Philippine Commission on Population (POPCOM) supported by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). The program aims to deliver critical information to Filipino teens aged 10-19 to prevent teen pregnancy and reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections through online and mobile platforms. The event was conducted in partnership with the Gal E’ Libun: True Love Waits project of the Office of Vice Governor Jinkee Jamora-Pacquiao. (Carl Clemence F. Tolog/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Philhealth services at health caravan

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 25, 2015) – Philhealth cards are given free to indigents as part of the Hi-5 Caravan Tuesday, June 23, at the Capitol gym. Some 2,818 persons availed of the services like pediatric, dental, minor surgery, bloodletting, youth intervention activities and HIV testing, family planning, nutrition, sanitation, fire and earthquake drills, and other laboratory services. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

JINKEENATION joins health caravan

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 25, 2015) - Dr. Arvin Alejandro (2nd from right), provincial health officer, presents to Congressman Manny Pacquiao and Vice Gov. Jinkee Jamora Pacquiao the various toilet bowl models used in different areas in Sarangani during the health caravan Tuesday, June 23. This is part of the showcasing of sanitation products of the JINKEENATION project of the Provincial Vice Governor’s Office in partnership with World Bank - Water and Sanitation Program. JINKEENATION is the sanitation program in support to the provincial goal of Sarangani as a 100% zero open defecation area by 2016. (Quenny Dandan/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Gov. Solon leads Hi-5 Caravan

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 25, 2015) – Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon speaks before thousands of patients and health workers who trooped to the Hi-5 Caravan at the Capitol gym Tuesday, June 23. The health caravan focused on the promotion of health information and services on maternal and child health, men’s health, adolescent health, health for the elderly, and nutrition. (Queeny Dandan/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Hi-5 Caravan fast-tracks health targets

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 24, 2015) – The Department of Health (DOH) has refocused priorities on key universal health care interventions to ensure high impact health outcomes are obtained through a nationwide Hi-5 Caravan.

According to provincial health officer Dr. Arvin Alejandro, Hi-5 Caravan, which stands for High Impact Five universal health care interventions, is DOH’s strategy to fast track accomplishments on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4, 5 and 6.

MDG 4 is anchored on reducing child mortality, MDG 5 is for improving maternal health and MDG 6 is for combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other major diseases.

Alejandro cited the sluggish progress towards realizing the goals on time which the country has agreed with the United Nations to be 2015.

Hence initiatives from the national government to focus on these goals were made and ensuring “all constituents nationwide should be aware of the services” and ultimately reach the targets.

In his keynote speech, DOH Region 12 director Teogenes Baluma said the caravan was part of the Aquino administration’s Kalusugan Pangkalahatan or Universal Health Care agenda to improve health outcomes like maternal and child care, the most vulnerable population.

But the caravan also offered a range of health service packages including those for adolescents, men, persons with disability and the elderly.

In Sarangani, a total of 2,818 persons availed of the services like pediatric, dental, minor surgery, Philhealth related concerns, bloodletting, youth intervention activities and HIV testing, family planning, nutrition, sanitation, fire and earthquake drills, and other laboratory services during the Hi-5 Caravan held Tuesday (June 23).

These services, however, are regularly provided by the provincial health office and in the municipal health offices especially for the indigents as “health is one of the top priorities” of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon.

Governor Solon said “it is very important to us that the population of Sarangani remains healthy” as he lamented that the indication of poverty is either falling into bad health or remaining into poor health.

Lorenzo Tan, 45 years old and residing in a far-flung barangay in Alabel, was one of those who availed of the free minor surgery. A marble-size cyst in his foot that has been bothering him since 2000 was finally extracted during the caravan.

He said he was very lucky to have undergone the surgery for free as it would cost him thousands of pesos in a private hospital.

Tan, who has 13 children, cultivates his small parcel of land that produces around two sacks of copra quarterly and plants banana for additional income.

Meanwhile, director Baluma reported that Sarangani is improving its performance in terms of health and credited it also to the leadership governance program that changed the perspective of local chief executives on health. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Operation Tuli

GLAN, Sarangani (April 14, 2015) – Board Member Elmer De Peralta who is a doctor by profession conducts circumcision during the “Operation Tuli” Sunday, April 12, at Glan Gymnasium. The “Operation Tuli” benefitted over 145 young male. The event is a special project of the Emmanuel and Jinkee's Heart Foundation, Inc., in partnership with the Provincial Vice Governor’s Office and Local Government of Glan. (Almin T. Abejaron/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Smile Your Way to My Heart

GLAN, Sarangani (April 14, 2015) – Emmanuel and Jinkee’s Heart Foundation and in partnership with Provincial Vice Governor’s Office, Philippine Dental Association, Inc. and Local Government of Glan conduct a dental mission dubbed as “Smile Your Way to My Heart” at Glan Gymnasium on April 12. Seventy five residents received dental services such as tooth extraction and fluoride treatment. (Almin T. Abejaron/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Governor: Malungon job well done

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (March 27, 2015) – Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon commends Malungon officials and their constituents for a job well done having been certified “zero open defecation” in the whole province of Sarangani. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan during the 11th regular session on March 24 unanimously approved a “Resolution Declaring the Municipality of Malungon as the 1st Zero Open Defecation (100% Access to Sanitary Toilet) Practicing Municipality in the Province of Sarangani.” (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)