Rise of Dengue Cases Cause for Concern

Tweet

Experts underscore strategies and new discoveries in protecting our children

In the face of the lethal threat that Dengue poses, especially for children, the nation must take collective action and utilize new innovations against the potentially fatal disease. That was the core lesson the country’s foremost public health authorities emphasized at a recent discussion entitled “A Dengue Dialogue: Protecting our Children from the Epidemic” hosted by the Vaccine Solidarity Movement (VSM).

“My oldest daughter had it 2 times! It was very scary, and I would not want to go through any of that again — but the reality is we are all at risk. Wala pong pinipili ang dengue, bata o matanda, mayaman o mahirap. [dengue can hit anyone, old or young, rich or poor] Ang nakakatakot sa dengue pag akala mo gumaling ang lagnat okay na [what’s scary is, you think it’s better because the fever breaks] BUT that is when it can get fatal. Wag hintayin mawala ang lagnat [don’t wait till the fever breaks], seek medical attention & manage right away.” the event's moderator, broadcaster Niña Corpuz-Rodriguez, shared her personal experience. Like Rodriguez, numerous parents are anxiously seeking more effective solutions to safeguard their children against this debilitating disease.

Signs of the times

In 2023 a record year for dengue globally, unusually dryly “slow” year for the Philippines for dengue, we ranked third among countries with the highest dengue cases.[1] Looking back at previous years' data, it was discovered that in 2019, which was considered a record year for the Philippines, there were 371,717 recorded dengue cases, resulting in 1,407 deaths.[2] Approximately half of these dengue-related deaths occurred in children between the ages 5 and 9.[3] If the Philippines not been spared from the record year 2023 due to an unusually dry rainy season, which spared the country from a more severe outbreak, it is estimated that over 1,000 children could have lost their lives to dengue in the same year.

According to Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary of Health for Public Health Services and Chief Information Officer Eric Tayag, there is a possibility of an earlier rise in cases due to El Niño. However, the severity of the dengue outbreaks this year will depend on the behavior of communities and the effectiveness of control measures implemented.

So, now there is an urgent need to utilize all available weapons in the existing anti-dengue arsenal in our war against dengue. Failure to do so could result in a devastating outcome, with well over 1,000 children losing their lives when dengue inevitably hits us hard again.

A whole-of-nation approach for our children

The experts on the panel emphasized the importance of collective involvement in combating this disease VSM Co-Founder Amor Maclang, speaking at the event, urged the entire nation to actively engage in the fight against Dengue, “Public health issues can only be taken on if the private sector, the government, the whole of society takes on the issue.”

Dr. Benny Atienza, Vice President of the Philippine Federation of all Professional Associations and Immediate Past President of the Philippine Medical Association, cited an example of a collaborative effort involving children and the adults in their lives. He mentioned the development of catchy songs designed to creatively educate children about the disease, enabling them to recognize and effectively communicate symptoms to guardians and medical professionals.

During the event, Dr. Vicente Belizario Jr., a respected Professor and Former Dean of the College of Public Health at the University of the Philippines Manila, as well as the President of the Philippine Academic Consortium for Public Health, emphasized the crucial role of media and journalists in raising dengue awareness among parents, guardians, and even teachers. He highlighted the significance of education in empowering individuals with knowledge about the disease, its symptoms, prevention methods, and the importance of early detection. Dr. Belizario recognized the media's power to reach a wide audience through television, radio, newspapers, and online platforms, enabling the dissemination of accurate and up-to-date information about dengue.. “Media, we appeal to you to raise awareness sapagkat may kanya-kanya po tayong role para maka-iwas sa dengue [because we each have our own role to fulfill in Dengue prevention]”, said Dr. Belizario Jr., called out.

A game-changing new weapon

Dr. Nina Gloriani, former Head of the Vaccine Expert Panel of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), encourages the public to “move with the times” and take advantage of new discoveries such as next-generation vaccines. One of the next-generation vaccines available on the market today is TAK-003, the only next-generation vaccine that has been licensed for use in more than 30 countries: the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, Argentina and Countries with dengue epidemiological situations similar to the Philippines such as Indonesia, Brazil and more recently Thailand.

The TAK-003 is safe to use for everyone, even those who have not previously had Dengue. The vaccine was engineered on a Dengue backbone, unlike the first dengue vaccine in the market. TAK-003 can create immune responses at different levels to all four strains of dengue virus[4] helping to prevent disease and reduce the likelihood of hospitalization in people with dengue fever. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization recommends a well-designed communication strategy and community engagement along with the vaccine.[5]

Gloriani's words resonated with a powerful sense of hope and optimism as she discussed the implementation of vaccines “Hopefully maidagdag natin yung [we can add] vaccination. Meron nang mga pagbabago. [There are new developments.] Nakita nyo kung paano natin nagamit ang mga bagong technology [You’ve seen how new technologies were utilized] for COVID and we have a lot of lessons learned from that”, she said. Her message left no room for doubt, a strategic use of vaccines can pave the way for a better future in our fight against dengue – especially in protecting our children.

Undersecretary Tayag while emphasizing the importance of a meticulous evaluation process, expressed a willingness to consider the introduction of a new vaccine. His statement reflects a balanced approach, acknowledging the need for thorough assessment to ensure the safety and efficacy of any potential vaccine. He said, “So ninilaw lang po namin na nananatiling bukas ang Department of Health. Subalit, katulad ng ginawa namin sa COVID, ito ay may mga pag-aaral na dapat gawin at ito ay aming tinitingnang mabuti sapagkat may responsibilidad kami na kung ito man ay irere-introduce natin, ang aming prinsipyo po ay “first do no harm”. [We want to make it clear that the Department of Health remains open. But just like what we did in the COVID-19 situation, this requires a careful study, and we are looking closely into it because if we will re-introduce it, we have a responsibility to follow our ‘first do no harm’ principle.”

With an extraordinary triumph over COVID-19 vaccine misinformation, the Philippines has emerged as a global frontrunner, ranking fourth in single-day vaccine uptake and administering a staggering 2.7 million vaccinations in a single day. Dr. Atienza shared this remarkable achievement at the roundtable panel discussion, underscoring the nation's unwavering commitment to public health. Buoyed by this success, the Vaccine Solidarity Movement (VSM) is now spearheading efforts to combat dengue and other vaccine-preventable diseases, further solidifying their dedication to safeguarding the well-being of the public especially for the children.

"We have to turn up the same fervor that we turned on during the COVID pandemic and we have to right now rally behind the objective of the DOH. 95% coverage," echoed Maclang.

---------------------------------------------------

1 https://reliefweb.int/report/world/epidemiological-alert-sustained-circulation-dengue-region-americas-5-december-2023#:~:text=The%20year%202023%20is%20the,and%201%2C823%20deaths%20(1.2).

2https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/philippines-situation-report-9-dengue-outbreak-5-november-2019#:~:text=371%2C717%20dengue%20cases%2C%20including%201%2C407,same%20epidemiological%20week%20in%202018.

3https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/nearly-half-all-dengue-deaths-philippines-are-children-under-nine-years-old

[4] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(23)00522-3/fulltext

[5] https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231009/WHO-experts-recommend-the-use-of-Takedas-dengue-vaccine-QDENGA.aspx

EpiC FREE TO BE U Campaign Launches Inspiring Videos to fight HIV stigma

Tweet

The FREE TO BE U campaign recently released The Positive Lifestyle, a series of powerful and inspiring videos designed to raise awareness about, foster empathy for, and help empower people living with HIV (PLHIV). The FREE TO BE U Campaign recognizes that a key component in the fight against HIV stigma is not just knowledge, but empathy. 

Through these videos, the campaign is dispelling misconceptions, promoting acceptance, and encouraging viewers to connect to PLHIV as they share their personal stories. Most importantly, once conversations around HIV are no longer stigmatized, people can freely access HIV services through tools. The videos are available on the campaign’s Facebook and Youtube accounts.

“We are excited to announce the release of these eleven entertaining yet enlightening videos. We hope that they can make an impact in eradicating stigma around HIV in the country, as well as educate the public about the everyday lives of people living with HIV,” said Teresita Marie Bagasao, Project Director of the Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project.

One of the videos features Drag Den Philippines Winner NAIA (@naiablack_ on IG) talking to Jabar Esmael, a PLHIV advocate, while having their make-up done. Jabar talks about his experience right after learning he was HIV-positive and what made him decide to get treatment. Another video shows how a person living with HIV can maintain a healthy lifestyle and adhere to treatment via proper nutrition in a fun, cooking show setting.

By developing these videos, FREE TO BE U seeks to promote acceptance and inclusivity, break stereotypes, and shift the narrative when it comes to people living with HIV. Each video provides unique perspectives on the daily lives of people living with HIV, revealing marginalized people whose voices need to be heard and whose days are filled with challenges, but also beauty and fun.

Teresita Marie Bagasao added, “This initiative not only shows the realities of people living with HIV, but it also promotes QuickRes.org, an online booking application for HIV services in the country. It is not enough that we normalize conversations about HIV. We also need to provide information about access points for free HIV services.”

QuickRes is an online booking application where anyone can easily book an appointment for HIV and sexual health services using their smartphone, tablet, or laptop. It is a global platform brought by the campaign here in the Philippines, with the country being the top user globally within a year.

The FREE TO BE U campaign was launched in 2022 by the Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project, in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH) Healthy Pilipinas . EpiC is led by FHI 360 and funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).This partnership kicked off last February during the Festival of Love event. The campaign has also organized the QUILTS Awards — which honors health facilities and partner organizations that have provided exceptional care and treatment to people living with HIV— for the past two years.

To learn more about the FREE TO BE U campaign, visit: https://www.facebook.com/FreeToBeUPH

You can access QuickRes on their website: https://quickres.org/233

Health Experts Raise Alarm on Dengue Crisis

Tweet

 Next Generation Dengue Vaccine, other Solutions Presented

Dengue remains to be a major public health problem in the Philippines. But it is reassuring to know that medical science has continued to develop and is working on real solutions, such as new vaccines and other novel and ingenious solutions that address the dengue crisis head on.

Affirming that the full might of Japan, one of the healthiest nations in the world, is behind the Philippines in its fight against dengue: Minister Nihei Daisuke, Minister for Economic Affairs, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.

The inaugural Dengue Forum titled “Addressing the Mosquito in the Room” held last Wednesday, 27 September, aimed to amplify the conversation on dengue as a public health concern in the Philippines. The event was organized by RiseAboveNow Business Consulting Group (RAN-BCG) and was supported by the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and the Department of Health (DOH).

Between 1 January and 9 September of this year, 125,975 dengue cases were reported across the nation, so far lower compared to cases in the last five years.  Since mid-June 2023, 5,000 cases have been registered on an average every week, according to the Department of Health (DOH), Philippines.^[1] Despite the plateauing dengue cases, the DOH is not shutting down the possibility of an uptick in cases during the coming the rainy season.

The present impact of dengue was described in the recent dengue forum "Addressing the Mosquito in the Room": The forum gathered a panel of experts from various relevant fields from both relevant government agencies, as well as from the private sector. It aimed to raise the alarm on the already ongoing Dengue Crisis, assess the extent of the burden at this time, map out a multi-sectoral strategy, but perhaps most importantly, to discuss new developments globally on newly introduced solutions that can make a real impact in ending the dengue crisis. This dengue forum was also an opportunity to establish a robust platform for multi-stakeholder collaboration in addressing the dengue situation in the country.

In an official statement, Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) Teodoro J. Herbosa, MD, emphasized the urgency of the event, and the importance of a holistic approach: “This event carries profound significance as it highlights the importance of a Philippine Collaborative response framework. Dengue is a self-limiting disease, there is currently no definitive therapy or regimen available,” he stressed. With the COVID-19 threat now effectively mitigated, dengue now looms as the one of the most prevalent health concerns in tropical countries such as the Philippines.

Dr. Jose Rene de Grano, MHA, president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, and pediatrician Dr. Maria Fatima Gualberto of Otsuka Solar Phils. Inc. of Japan shared that dengue was among the leading causes of hospitalization in the post COVID-19 era. While Dr. Kim Patrick Tejano of DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau pointed out that dengue was the second biggest health condition in terms of cost for PhilHealth claims nationwide in the last year.

The DOH was represented by Ms. Angelica Garcia Supervising Health Program Officer DOH Epidemiology Bureau (Center), who gave a thorough situation report on dengue in the Philippines for the last 3 years. She is flanked by Lo-Anne Villanueva, Country Manager of Takeda Pharmaceuticals (Right) and Ranielle Mendoza -Founding Partner of Rise Above Now (Left).

Meanwhile Ms. Angelica Garcia of the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, shared the alarming truth, that statistically, 56% of all dengue fatalities are children 9 years old or younger. Furthermore, 70% of all dengue cases are people 19 years old or younger.

Representatives from Local Government Units where dengue incidence was relatively low namely Pasig, Caloocan, Quezon City and Baguio shared their best practices in the area of vector control, or eradication of mosquitoes, emphasizing adherence to the Five S method of controlling dengue:  

Search and destroy

Self-protect 

Seek consultation

Support fogging

Sustained Hydration

 

The fact that Dengue is among the leading causes of hospitalization in the Philippines was pointed out by Dr. Jose Rene de Grano, MHA, President Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (Center). He is flanked by Lo-Anne Villanueva, Country Manager of Takeda Pharmaceuticals (Right) and Ranielle Mendoza -Founding Partner of Rise Above Now (Left).

New hope, a LOT of new hope.

However, the most promising news came from the medical experts on hand, who shared that there are in fact new weapons that are available in the war against dengue. Consultant to the DOH and eminent infectious disease authority, Dr. Rontgene Solante fully acknowledged the need for stringent vector control, but he cautioned: “If you focus only on vector control, there is a possibility that it can also reduce herd immunity.” Dr. Solante then shared that there are in fact second-generation dengue vaccines, one that is actually already licensed for use in over 30 countries, including ASEAN neighbors Indonesia and more recently Thailand.

This  vaccine are far more advanced than the previous generation. They can be administered safely to people whether or not they have previously had dengue. Numbers are also significantly better than 1st gen vaccine. Solante shared that the TAK003 vaccine already licensed in over 30 countries are 80.2% effective at preventing dengue infection, compared to just 56% for first gen vaccine, it is also 95.4% effective at preventing severe dengue, whereas first generation vaccine had only 91% efficacy.

Dr. Solante shared that the reason behind the superiority of 2nd generation vaccines was that they were engineered on a dengue virus backbone, whereas the 1st generation was built on a Yellow Fever backbone. This is also the reason why 2nd gen vaccines are effective even for those who have never had dengue.

Despite the promise of an effective vaccine, Dr. Solante echoed Secretary Herbosa’s opinion: “Vector control, environmental control, patient education, awareness, even updates in the clinical management are all part of what we call an integrated approach and a vital part of this will be vaccination. So, this is what we call a comprehensive strategy. You have vaccination, as well as vector control.”

TAK003 is manufactured by global, research and development-driven pharmaceutical company Takeda. Takeda was represented at the forum along with three other Japanese firms and no less than Minister for Economic Affairs at the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Mr. NIHEI Daisuke who affirmed Japan’s commitment to help ease the global burden of dengue: “We also consider dengue as an international concern, and we are one with the Philippines in your fight against this disease.”

TAK003 vaccine was also recently recommended by the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) for introduction in settings with high dengue disease burden and high transmission intensity to maximize impact to public health and that the vaccine introduction should be accompanied by a well-designed communication strategy and community engagement.^[2]

New vaccines are not the only new development, Dr. Anna Lisa Ong-Lim, Chief of the Division of Infectious and Tropical Disease at the Philippine General Hospital shared that there is in fact promising news in the area of developing antivirals that could both provide immunity and cure already infected patients. In her presentation, Dr. Ong-Lim shared both the action of the antivirals in development, as well as what stage of trials they have already shown promise in.

While sharing the promise of new developments, Dr. Ong-Lim also talked about simple yet ingenious best practices that have worked worldwide, such as mosquito nets that are used to cover entire small villages. She did reiterate the importance of vaccine, but also pointed out how much more effective these would be if combined with other tactics: “Of course, we know that vaccines are known to be the most efficient approach to be able to target big numbers in these kinds of conditions, but when vaccines are complemented by therapeutic agents, you can even [have] better control.”

Ultimately with these new developments, it will be possible to bring dengue numbers down to insignificant levels. To make dengue vaccination widespread though, will require that every Filipino learn more about this disease and demand that any and all means be used to end this crisis.

 ---------------------------------

About RANBCG

Rise Above Now Business Consulting Group (RANBCG) is a management, marketing and capability-building consulting firm based out of the Philippines specializing in the healthcare industry. RANBCG, with its 50 years of collective healthcare experience from its roster of consultants, has been a trusted partner of pharmaceutical companies in conducting medical conventions, virtual engagement sessions and physical capability-building workshops for healthcare workers. In 2021, RANBCG was the partner of the Department of Health in holding resiliency workshops for all healthcare professionals amidst the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

---

^[1] https://www.cnnphilippines.com/videos/2023/4/19/DOH--Dengue-cases-up-by-94--in-Q1-of-2023.html

^[2] https://www.who.int/news/item/02-10-2023-who-recommends-r21-matrix-m-vaccine-for-malaria-prevention-in-updated-advice-on-immunization

 

World Immunization Week Health Connect Forum highlights multi-sectoral best practices for vaccination

Tweet

The Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Pasay City Local Government Unit (LGU) and the Senior Citizens’ Partylist came together to showcase how every sector is able to contribute to improving vaccination coverage during this year’s World Immunization Week Health Connect Forum.

Health Connect Forum- Each Sector's Role in the Big Catch-up

The forum, organized by the the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV), Philippine Medical Association (PMA), Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association (PHAP), and  Sanofi Pasteur Inc., focused on “Each Sector’s Role in the Big Catch-up” to ensure the protection of people of all ages against vaccine preventable diseases.

 “The time is now to build everything to give vaccines to those who need it most. The children and the elderly who are still unaware of vaccines, are at highest risk of dying.” said PFV Executive Director Dr. Lulu Bravo. PMA President Dr. Maria Minerva Calimag added, “Vulnerable populations also include the 14-17M indigenous peoples whose health concerns we should also address. Physicians at the PMA will join hands with the government to address gaps in implementation.”

 The DOH noted that the Philippines ranked fourth in the world with the highest number of zero-dose children, which is why their priority is catch-up immunization for children who missed out on their schedules the past few years. They emphasized that this would only be successful through collaborative efforts. “Vaccination is a whole-of-nation approach. That is why we need everyone's help in order for us to catch-up and improve our vaccine coverage." said DOH National Immunization Program Manager Dr. Janis Macazo.

Meanwhile, DILG Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez noted that learnings from the COVID vaccination program can be used for all vaccination programs. “We developed the LGU guide for rehabilitation and recovery for COVID-19 to serve as an operational manual for similar situations,” she said.

This was echoed by Pasay City Health Officer Dr. Mercedes Noble, who coordinates the city’s National Immunization Program. “Our partners are very supportive in using their venues for mass vaccination programs. Our very dedicated barangay health center staff go beyond their office hours and even weekends, so no child will be left behind.”

DSWD Director for Policy Development and Planning Bureau Rhodora Alday further shared how their programs are designed to address all of the social economic dimension which includes access to health services.

Director Alday said that the 4P’s program (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) helped incentivize beneficiaries for vaccination. “We are targeting around 700,000 households that have children below 18 years old to be enrolled in the program. Hopefully DSWD will help increase the immunization campaign through this program. Moreover, with a strong partnership that we have at the LGU we can design convergence programs to help free immunization available to people,” said Dir. Alday.

The forum also highlighted that catch-up immunization should not be limited to routine childhood vaccines. Atty. Charles de Belen from the Senior Citizens’ Partylist talked about ensuring our elderly loved ones are also fully protected from infectious diseases such as the flu. “Through our legislative agenda and initiatives, we try to expand the availability of immunizations that are inaccessible to senior citizens,” he said. Partylist Representative Congressman Ordanes’ HB 2097 recently passed the first reading in Congress.

“We now have vaccines to prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases for people of all ages. In this age and time, no one should die from vaccine preventable diseases,” said Mr. Teodoro B. Padilla, PHAP Executive Director Mr. Teodoro Padilla. With PHAP bringing together these stakeholders, both public and private sectors have shown strong support for continued vaccination efforts this World Immunization Week.

The media forum, moderated by journalist and health advocate Jing Castañeda, can be viewed on the Facebook pages of PMA, PFV and PHAP.

DOH launches multi-sectoral initiative to eradicate tuberculosis

Tweet

The Department of Health (DOH) has launched the Philippine Acceleration Action Plan for Tuberculosis (PAAP-TB), a multisectoral initiative to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) in the country by 2035. The DOH together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), through the PAAP-TB aims to provide wider access to health services, and improved education and public information, social protection, and labor protection to eradicate TB by 2030.

OIC Secretary of Health – Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire delivers opening remarks on the importance of TB eradication and building a healthy population

Tuberculosis is a chronic communicable disease that comes second only to COVID-19 as a leading cause of mortality from a single infectious organism. According to the Global TB Report 2022, the disease accounted for 1.6 million deaths in 2021. In a preliminary report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) this year, TB continues to rank 11th among the causes of death in the Filipino population.

TB elimination entails improving access to TB services, and addressing the social, economic, and physical determinants that significantly affect its occurrence, transmission, and even treatment. “In addressing these social determinants of health, we enjoin all our sectoral stakeholders for synergistic solutions to overcrowding, low education, malnutrition, and ultimately poverty. Our collective interventions will make TB services equitable, especially for the poor,” said Officer-in-Charge Secretary Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire.

The PAAP-TB aims to address the nation's TB epidemic by re-examining current programs and initiatives of National Coordinating Committee for Tuberculosis (TB-NCC) member organizations. Together, these collaborating sectors will provide an action plan and involve the private sector and organizations to achieve the program's goals over two medium terms.

OIC Secretary of Health – Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire and Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. present the PAAP-TB document

Also present at the event were representatives from various sectors committed to eradicating TB in the Philippines, Department of Health Assistant Secretary Beverly Ho, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., DSWD Assistant Secretary Janet Armas, DOLE Executive Director for the Occupational Safety and Health Center Ma. Teresita Cucueco, and FDA Director IV Jesusa Joyce Cirunay.

Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Janet Armas during the press conference at the Philippine Acceleration Action Plan for Tuberculosis (PAAP-TB) initiative

“By engaging multiple disciplines, organizations, sectors, and partners can combine strengths and leverage resources, expertise, and knowledge, while addressing the social, environmental, economic, and political systemic drivers that influence behaviors and prevent the effective delivery of health policies and interventions,” said Officer-In-Charge Singh-Vergeire.

FDA Director IV Jesusa Joyce N. Cirunay delivers pledge of support for the elimination of TB in the Philippines

USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks delivers pledge of support for the elimination of TB in the Philippines

The PAAP-TB document has been developed with technical support from the USAID’s TB Innovations and Health Systems Strengthening Project implemented by FHI 360.

"Masaya ang Pasko ng Bakunadong Pamilyang Pilipino": Medical, health experts upbeat on a healthier, safer Christmas for Filipinos this year

Tweet

In line with the National Vaccination Day, a webinar on the latest global trends on pediatric COVID vaccinations and how critical it is for minors to get themselves vaccinated for COVID-19 was held this Saturday morning, November 20.

Medical and health experts are optimistic that the country may enjoy a healthier, safer Christmas this year with an opportunity to get the whole family vaccinated in the upcoming 3-day National Vaccination Day on November 29-30 and December 1.

The Philippine Medical Association’s (PMA) campaign, themed “Masaya ang Pasko ng Bakunadong Pamilyang Pilipino," is in line with the government's drive to get 15 million more Filipinos inoculated during the three-day nationwide event.

Upper row, from L-R:   Business journalist Mimi Ong; Dr Lulu Bravo, Executive Director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination; and Dr. Maria Corazon Dumlao, Chief of the Department of Education’s Bureau of Learner Support Services – School Health Division.

Middle row, from L-R:  Dr Nina Gloriani, Chairperson of the Vaccine Expert Panel, Technical Working Group for COVID-19 Vaccines, Department of Science and Technology; Dr Benny Atienza, President of the Philippine Medical Association; and Enrique Gonzalez, Founder and Chairman of IPB/Family Vaccines Specialty Clinics.

Bottom row, from L-R:  Journalist and entrepreneur Niña Corpuz; Dr Eric Tayag, Director of the National Epidemiology Center, Department of Health; and Miguel Bermundo, Senior Manager of Sustainability and Social Responsibility, Globe Telecom.

With the long Christmas holiday’s tradition of gathering entire clans together, PMA President Dr. Benny Atienza remarked that their younger members should also receive protection against COVID-19. He expressed his “hope that children be vaccinated and we encourage parents, barangays, and LGUs to join us in our National Vaccination Day. Public and private entities are working as one to disseminate benefits of vaccination.”

Dr. Atienza added that vaccine hesitancy can be overcome by continuous dissemination of correct medical information to all demographics, young and old: “The PMA believes in teaching empowerment. We will continue implementing innovative activities that will raise standard health education among young children and their respective communities.”

Dr. Lulu Bravo, Executive Director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV), agreed about teaching children about vaccination at an early age because “they can lead us to the end of this pandemic.”  She further urged the adult members of society, especially the parents, to “be a hero, by saving your lives and your loved ones through vaccination.”

Reason for children vaccination

There are pressing if little-known, medical reasons to include children and teens in COVID-19 vaccination.  Although perceived as “more low risk, they can get very sick with COVID-19. They can also get short and long-term complications,” explained Dr. Nina G. Gloriani, Chairperson of the Vaccine Expert Panel, Technical Working Group for COVID-19 Vaccines, Department of Science and Technology. “Children can spread COVID-19 via droplets. We have to underscore the fact that unvaccinated children can be asymptomatic.”

Dr. Gloriani added that COVID-19 children vaccination had already started with those who have comorbidities, focusing first on the 16-17-year-olds, and then proceeding to the 12-to-14-year-old demographic. She also acknowledged that “almost 50% of the targeted Filipino individuals have received their first doses, 74 million doses in total. The more recent is 103 million jabs. The number of jabs a day is a million in the NCR. “

Dr. Eric Tayag, Director of the National Epidemiology Center in the Department of Health  (DOH), added that the vaccination of children should be ongoing, not just against COVID-19 but also “preventable diseases. We are having catch-up vaccinations on measles, diphtheria, and hemophilia. We protect the children when we vaccinate them.”

 National recovery

Enrique Gonzalez, Founder and Chairman of IPB/Family Vaccines Specialty Clinics (FVSC), affirmed that “Ensuring the safety of vaccines to children is of prime importance.”  He also pointed out that SinoVac, the vaccine his company distributes, is doing a global trial on children’s COVID-19 vaccination in several countries. The more agile regulators in nations like Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Chile have been using SinoVac  under the Emergency Use Agreement, acting “quickly in ensuring that kids are protected when they go back to school.”

Gonzalez gave another insight on the importance of quick mass vaccination, saying: “It is critical to helping the country recover and get back on its feet.  Vaccines prevent severe symptoms and hospitalization. It is important that the public continue to have access to vaccines so we can achieve and maintain herd immunity.” 

Prior to the pandemic, FVSC has been at the forefront of inoculation against infectious diseases to the marginalized, subsidizing 50,000 vaccinations for the rural poor across more than 18 provinces.

Accomplished journalist Niña Corpuz gave her perspective on vaccination as a mother of three kids.  Addressing the understandable fears of parents, she said that “webinars and access to experts and research show that there is no reason to be hesitant. If vaccines come out for younglings, I would be among the first to give vaccines to my children.”

Education vs. fake news

Finally, amidst the gradual reopening of onsite classes in the country, Dr. Maria Corazon C. Dumlao, Chief of the Department of Education’s Bureau of Learner Support Services – School Health Division, affirmed their support for “pediatric vaccinations against COVID-19. Immunization activities are being conducted with learners continue during the pandemic.”  Other initiatives include allowing schools to become vaccination sites and coming up with strategies related to vaccination campaigns.

Miguel Bermundo, Senior Manager of Sustainability and Social Responsibility of Globe Telecom, agreed that education and fighting vaccine disinformation are vital to increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake.  Through their many platforms, programs, and partnerships with groups like the UNICEF, "we use our digital resources and network to fight harm against kids online and the proliferation of fake news.”

As the National Vaccination Day approaches, Dr. Bravo exhorted the public to be well-informed and join a health advocacy which can provide a better life for themselves and their families: “We should prepare for a pandemic preparedness plan---this will not be the last. We should value experts' opinions. Be a vaccine advocate, someone who can lead us to restore vaccine confidence and fight vaccine hesitancy.”

 

Johnson & Johnson Philippines supports the Department of Health (DOH) in advocating hygiene and physical play to thousands of Filipino Households through the Batang Bida program

Tweet

As the leading brand for mothers and babies around the world, JOHNSON’S® Baby believes in the value of providing the best care for babies and children at every age and stage through personal care products developed to suit every child’s needs.

Through the years, one of JOHNSON’S® main advocacies has been learning through play. The brand firmly believes in the importance of play to every child’s physical and emotional development. This is why in 2012, JOHNSON’S® launched their legacy campaign Play Days and the Di Lang Laro ang Laro advocacy, together with the Department of Education and NGO Play Pilipinas, to create greater awareness around the benefits of physical play and encourage children to go play outdoors and get away from their “screens” and gadgets. This advocacy went through several iterations in the years that followed, including Play Days: Play for Real in 2015; Di Lang Laro Ang Laro in 2018 emphasizing joint active play between parents and their kids as a critical part of every child’s holistic development; and “Sa Laro Natututo” in 2019, which empowered parents with home-based activities to push the idea of learning through play. These Play Days campaigns and their narratives are amplified through a strategic mix of on-ground events, social media and editorials.

Says Senior marketing manager, Crismer Tiria: “Our company has always believed in the power of play and the positive impact that physical play brings to a child’s development. Play needs to be better supported at home which is why JOHNSON’S® is working to fully empower our moms with the knowledge, tools, and products to make play significantly for their children.”

In 2020, the JOHNSON’S® Batang Bida Campaign was launched to communicate and demonstrate how the physical play was still possible despite necessary health restrictions through the practice of proper hygiene. The campaign was made possible through a partnership between Johnson and Johnson Philippines, Inc. and the Department of Health’s (DOH) BIDA Program, which worked with local public healthcare workers to reach out and educate more moms on the importance of proper hygiene for kids.

Reaching 31,600 households and 500 sari-sari stores in NCR and Davao even through quarantine, the Batang Bida house-to-house caravan was a huge success.

Now on its second year, JOHNSON’S® continues to advocate proper hygiene, health, and playful learning by continuing to support the Department of Health’s (DOH) BIDA Health Program, which aims to provide Filipinos access to credible health information. The JOHNSON'S® Batang Bida Caravan promotes the adoption of proactive health habits to keep the family 100% protected through practicing the 3K’s– Kalinisan, Kalusugan at Karunungan (hygiene, health, and knowledge). Here, play is a key element not only in every child’s learning but also in the continued education of the family in the importance of good hygiene habits, good nutrition, and the important role of physical play for growing kids.

The Batang Bida Caravan is on track to reach 100,000 households in Philippine key cities by the end of 2021, with 56,000 households across four cities reached by the end of August.

To know more about the new JOHNSON’S® Baby products and to get more tips on babies' and children’s skincare, visit https://johnsonsbaby.com.ph, like JOHNSON’S® Baby PH on Facebook https://facebook.com/JohnsonsBabyPhilippines, and follow JOHNSON’S® Instagram account @johnsonsbabyph. To read more on the Department of Health’s BIDA Campaign, visit https://doh.gov.ph/bidasolusyon.

---------------------------

About JOHNSON’S®

Johnson’s® is a trusted name in baby care for mothers with its Clinically Proven Mild products and is recommended by doctors for over 125 years. This heritage of trust is built upon a deep understanding of what it takes to keep the baby’s delicate skin healthy, making JOHNSON’S® Baby one of the most beloved brands amongst mothers globally. Going beyond safe, mild and gentle products, the brand believes in enriching baby care rituals that unlock and release the full power of the senses.

Nothing is more important to JOHNSON’S® than ensuring a stimulating start and a vibrant future for babies around the world and empowering families and health care professionals. Because JOHNSON’S® knows, when it comes to bringing up baby, more is more. As an expert on baby care, JOHNSON’S® has been advancing baby science and setting the standards in baby care. JOHNSON’S® offers baby and adult products in over 175 countries, the brand has touched almost 8 billion babies across.

Organique’s ImmunoStrongPH campaign supports frontliners during pandemic, DOH-PITAHC receives superfood donation to build body's natural strength and resilience

Tweet

The Department of Health (DOH) recently received over 5,000 blister packs of superfood ORGANIQUE Acai freeze-dried health supplement capsules to support frontliners and healthcare workers from at least 13 beneficiary institutions amid the prolonged pandemic and emergence of COVID-19 variants in the country. As part of its nationwide Immunostrong campaign, Organique Inc. officially turned over the donation to the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC), which the DOH designated for the distribution and delivery of the 5,644 blister packs in time for the 123rd anniversary of DOH.

Marketing Manager for Organique Cristina Go said that the health of medical frontliners and healthcare workers need to be prioritized as they have been selflessly and courageously risking themselves to virus exposure while taking care of patients almost 24/7 since the country declared a state of public health emergency in March 2020. “We are proud to support the DOH in continuously working towards a healthier nation, protecting the community through a stronger immunity. Indeed, the pandemic has revealed the best and the worst in many, and the DOH has proven too, that their profession is not just a job, but a calling that they answer without fail, to the best of their ability,” Go said.

As part of Organique’s Immunostrong PH nationwide health awareness campaign, Organique Inc. Trade Marketing Manager Cristina Go and Digital/Social Media Manager Justin Dela Cruz turned over its donation of Organique Acai freeze-dried health supplement capsules to PITAHC Director General Dr. Anabelle De Guzman for the benefit of medical frontliners and health workers.

She added that food supplements like Organique Acai Berry can help strengthen the immune system by providing essential nutrients to help give the body renewed energy every day. Acai, the main ingredient of the freeze-dried capsules, is hailed worldwide as a superfood packed with really high levels of antioxidants to help counter free radicals in the body. The superior health benefits offered by Organique Acai freeze-dried capsules are what the frontliners, health care workers, and the public need during this pandemic to help fortify their immune system to help them fight diseases and alleviate serious symptoms of illnesses like COVID-19.

Among the beneficiaries referred by DOH and PITAHC include the Philippine Heart Center, East Avenue Medical Center, National Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Reference Laboratory, National Certification Committee on Naturopathy, National Certification Committee on Homeopathy, COA Resident Auditors, PITAHC Board of Trustees and Employees, Herbal Processing Plants, and other frontliners or patients identified by PITAHC.

According to DOH, the pandemic has further aggravated the conditions of an increasing number of Filipinos who had been immuno-compromised by their unhealthy, abusive and sedentary lifestyles, not to mention lack of access to proper nutrition and sleep. Fully aware of the need to heighten public awareness, Organique has tapped award-winning vlogger and health enthusiast Wil Dasovich as Organique’s official brand ambassador, including health advocates and influencers to spread massive awareness on the importance of a strong immune system.

In conclusion, Go also reiterated,

“We are all in this together, together with Organique Acai Berry, working with our modern heroes, the medical frontliners and every single Filipino – as we all need to take care of everyone’s physical, mental, emotional and psychological well-being for an immunostrong future, and an immunostrong Philippines.”

For inquiries, visit www.organique.com.ph; fb: @organiqueinc.

Shopee and the Department of Health Team Up to Encourage Filipinos to Get Vaccinated

Tweet

Through this partnership, Shopee and the Department of Health aim to raise awareness on the importance of COVID-19 vaccination through education

MANILA, JUNE 11, 2021 -Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, partners with the Department of Health (DOH) to promote education about COVID-19 vaccines through in-app and social media initiatives. As the Philippines aims to vaccinate 70% of its population within three to five years, this partnership between Shopee and DOH augments the concerted effort of the private sector and local government units to encourage Filipinos to get vaccinated and protect themselves and their loved ones against COVID-19.

While the local government rolls out COVID-19 vaccination programs, the vaccine hesitancy rate among Filipinos continues to increase, going from 47% in January 2021 to 61% by the end of the first quarter. They remain resistant to the vaccine due to three key reasons: concerns about potential side effects, uncertainty about efficacy, and skepticism.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee is honored to partner with the Department of Health to educate Filipinos on the importance and benefits of vaccination. Through our collaboration with DOH, we can provide the community with accurate and science-backed vaccine information. With proper education, we aim to raise the public’s awareness and hopefully encourage more people to get vaccinated.”

Beverly C. Ho, MD, MPH, Director IV, at Health Promotion Bureau DOH, said, “This partnership symbolizes what we, in the Health Promotion Bureau, want to do—meet people where they are and make living healthy easy. That's why we are thankful to use Shopee’s platform, one that effectively reaches and engages millions of Filipinos, to make RESBAKUNA reach a wider audience. The immense potential this partnership holds, not only in increasing vaccine confidence but in improving overall health literacy among Filipinos, truly excites us.”

Starting this month until August, users can learn more about vaccines’ safety and effectiveness from DOH and World Health Organization representatives. On June 23, 9:00 PM, users can watch a discussion on “Fake vs Fact on COVID-19 Vaccine Safety and Efficacy” on Shopee Live. Shopee will post helpful information about the vaccines on its official social media pages. A separate microsite will also be available on the Shopee app.

Visit https://shopee.ph/m/resbakuna-kasangga-ng-bida to stay updated on Shopee’s initiatives against COVID-19.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

“Can the Philippines Dance with COVID-19?” To provide balance in protecting lives, livelihood, Gov't, private sector, civil societies present fresh strategies vs COVID-19

Tweet

With the uncertainty of the ongoing pandemic, and Filipinos hungry to open up their lives, new strategies must be formulated for government, business and civil society to bring the country to a sustainable balance.

Industries have to be agile if they are to find the balance between public health and safety and the revitalization of the economy. 

How to prioritize both lives and livelihood, especially in the light of the new MECQ, was tackled by leaders from the health, business, and academic sectors in the virtual business forum, “Can the Philippines Dance with COVID-19?”, held this morning August 5.

The speakers were Secretary Vince Dizon, National Action Plan Against COVID-19  Deputy Chief Implementer and Testing Czar; Department of Health (DOH)  Undersecretary Rosette Vergeire; former DOH secretary Dr. Manuel “Manolet” Dayrit; Josephine Gotianun-Yap, CEO of the Filinvest Development Corporation; and  University of the Philippines College of Public Health (UPCPH) Dean Dr. Vicente  Belizario. Joining them in the panel discussion were Lars Wittig, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Vice President and Country Manager of Regus and Spaces, and George Royeca, Chief Transport Advocate of Angkas. Amor Maclang, Chairwoman of the ECCP’s Innovation Committee and communications technical advisor to the DOH, was panel moderator. 

Secretary Dizon, the country’s designated testing czar, has dedicated himself tirelessly to TASK FORCE T3 (Test, Trace, Treat) over the past few months, the task force convened by the Inter-Agency Task Force – National Task Force (IATF-NTF) and the Department of Health (DOH). For his part, he described how the government fast-

tracked in its response as the number of cases kept rising. While only a limited number of people were tested at the start of the outbreak, the capacity for testing has improved, as the labs increased from one to 96 in four months. “From 500 tests a day in March, we are now doing 35,000 tests today,” he said, “We are pushing to do more tests. We are [now] one of the countries who test the most in Asia and far outpacing the other countries in [the region].”

Secretary Dizon also pointed out that collaboration is critical to achieve more results.  “We have to push more in places with high spreads like Calabarzon. It's all about execution and coming together. "Lahat tayo ay Pilipino at ngayon natin kailangang magsama-sama. Isaisantabi na natin ang iba't ibang kulay at di pagkakaunawaan. Kailangan ng pagtutulungan tulad ng nangyari kamakailan na nagbunga ng pagtaas ng ating testing capacity sa halip ng dalawang buwan. At kung tuluy-tuloy ang ating pagtutulungan, magiging epektibo ang laban natin sa Covid-19.”

Usec. Vergeire shared how the DOH is collaborating with the medical communities on increasing contact and recovery efforts in the barangay level during this MECQ. She said, “We will not wait for patients to go to us; we will go to them. [We will] check for symptoms, and if there are exposed people, do necessary interventions. 

Eventually once we sustain this, the LGUs will be more empowered.” The USEC also emphasized that “DOH is leading this response.”

Dr. Belizario pointed out that accurate communication with the public is needed “to  lower the risk of COVID-19 to low, low levels so it doesn't pose a risk to a significant number of the population and to public areas. We need to train young people to become effective communicators for behavior change. It is not enough to put up posters and ads---we have to make sure that these materials result in behavior modification.”

Complementing communication is the use of data to track COVID-19’s status. He said, 

“Enhanced surveillance and response in the regions and provinces and capacity is built even in the periphery so we can act quickly in the collection and processing of data---and [provide them to] local and national authorities.”

Dr. Dayrit gave his insights on how to realistically reduce the number of cases:

“Don't fixate on the total number of cases. A large proportion of them have already died or recovered. So what are the new cases occurring everyday? This is where we can intervene.”

Dr. Dayrit, a member of Task Force T3, also cited the importance of building capacity in various aspects throughout the entire medical supply chain, including testing, laboratories, isolation, contact tracing, and hospital beds. He emphasized, “We need to invest in and modernize our health system because we will face similar medical challenges in the future. Many of these facilities have been neglected over time. Now we're trying to get them to perform at a level to fight this virus. This is a chance to rise to the occasion.”

Playing a key role for her work in the T3 task force, Ms. Gotianun-Yap emphasizes the importance of data management in preventing the spread of COVID-19, seeing how it can protect industry employees, customers, business partners, and communities. Her company used the StaySafe app for “daily health reporting and app-based contact tracing. It's important for us to have a data system to track COVID-19.” 

She envisioned the building of a “data end-to-end system that can track Covid-19 and link hospitals and clinics. The public will be notified if they come into contact with a positive-tested person.”

Setting best practices for the private sector’s role in preventing transmission of COVID-19, Filinvest was also the first to install safety measures at the initial stages of the outbreak. To prevent infection through commuting, it provided shuttle services for employees. BPO tenants were also allowed to sleep in their office premises. Testing for the workforce, especially the frontliners, were regularly conducted. Mall operations were reinvented to encourage social distancing, and all of its premises, offices, outlets, stores, and other stores were frequently sanitized.

Mr. Wittig agreed that success in containing COVID-19 boils down to “a matter of execution and with the significant contribution of the private enterprise. We have [also] surpassed other countries in testing.” He also said that data-driven efforts like what Filinvest is doing “is helping everyone to see the face of the beast so we can act accordingly.”

Ms. Maclang mentioned how the return of MECQ illuminated the constant challenge posed by the disease: “We have to learn to live with COVID-19 possibly for a long while. If we need a little rest from the fight, then let's take this time to learn how to dance. We have to recalibrate our actions and improve what we are already doing to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.”

Mr. Royeca pointed out the importance of individual responsibility to foster collaboration:

“There are gaps in implementation, but it has to start with ourselves. When we go out, we wear masks, do social distancing, etc. The public needs to know they have a big responsibility. The private sector needs to know our role. Let's use this virus not to be divisive but to unify us. COVID-19 doesn’t care about differences so let's work together and try to solve it.”

Dancing with coronavirus may take a series of complicated steps, but it might be the only feasible approach to protect the lives of millions of Filipinos, while restoring their livelihoods. 

USec. Vergeire summed up the urgency of the situation, saying, “We have two weeks to recalibrate our responses and stop the spread of infection. The sacrifices of people during the MECQ should not be in vain. There is no more national or local, we are all in this together. If we can all collaborate, we can beat COVID-19.”

Check this out;

FB Live Link https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=291078535675869&ref=watch_permalink