Rise of Dengue Cases Cause for Concern

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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.

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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

Health Experts Raise Alarm on Dengue Crisis

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 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.

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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.

 

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^[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

 

DOH launches multi-sectoral initiative to eradicate tuberculosis

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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.

Shopee teams up with the Department of Health to push Booster Vaccination

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In line with its continuous commitment to help every Filipino increase their protection against COVID-19, Shopee has partnered with the Department of Health (DOH) for the Bakunahang Bayan: PinasLakas Special Vaccination Days campaign from September 26-30, to facilitate the rapid mobilization of COVID-19 vaccination among all eligible populations.

As part of the campaign, a dedicated page will be accessible in-app to educate users on the benefits and importance of vaccination from September 26 to 30, 2022. Local government units (LGUs) across the country are likewise encouraged to include vaccination sites such as schools, malls, plazas, and places of worship where Filipinos can conveniently walk-in to get their COVID-19 booster shot on special vaccination days.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, shared, “It is a great privilege for us to partner with the DOH once again. Through this partnership, we aim to leverage our platform to provide Filipinos with access to accurate and important information about booster shots and COVID-19 vaccination. Through proper education and collaboration, we can work together to fight the spread of COVID-19 in the Philippines.”

This campaign is one of the multiple initiatives that Shopee has launched to support Filipinos in their pre to post vaccination journey. In 2021, Shopee launched the Resbakuna Vaccine Education Campaign, also in partnership with the DOH; the Fully Vaxxed package which incentivized users to complete their vaccination doses; and Vaccination Center Support, which provided food, health essentials, and air coolers to chosen vaccination centers in Makati, Taguig, and Quezon City.

Assistant Secretary Beverly Lorraine Ho, OIC-Undersecretary of the Department of Health shared “Every Filipino plays a vital role in achieving the wall of immunity and protecting every single member of our community, especially the most vulnerable. We are grateful to be partnering with Shopee once more to maximize their platform in effectively reaching, engaging, and educating even more Filipinos on the importance of getting their COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses.”

With the  aim of boosting 50 percent of the general population and fully vaccinating 90 percent of the target senior citizens, the Bakunahang Bayan: PinasLakas Special Vaccination Days campaign is expected to educate Filipinos of the benefits the COVID-19 vaccines provide. Through these initiatives, the DOH hopes to encourage even more of our kababayans to receive their booster shots, most especially our senior citizens and the vulnerable population.

From September 26-30, users can learn more about Bakunahang Bayan: PinasLakas Special Vaccination Days through the dedicated in-app page on the Shopee app.

 

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

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

Rep. Angelina Tan pushes for mandatory immunization

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Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan, Chairperson on House Committee on Health, reaffirmed her stand on mandatory immunization amid the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to prevent future outbreaks from happening.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected and impacted our lives in a totally unprecedented way. Millions of people around the world have been infected, leaving hundreds of thousands of people dead. In the Philippines, we have more than 14,000 total confirmed cases and close to 900 deaths because of this pandemic.

This Wednesday morning, May 27, a webinar zoom event was held as "Kapihan sa Manila Bay" with Marichu Villanueva, who hosts its first-ever kapihan online with the topic: AFTER THE COVID-19 CONTAGION, HOW CAN THE PHILIPPINES PREPARE BETTER FOR ANY FUTURE PANDEMIC?

The panelists were Congresswoman Angelina Tan, Chairperson, Committee on Health, House of Representatives, Congressman Adriano Ebcas, AKO PADAYON Pilipino party-list representative, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire, Public Health Epidemiologist Dr. Troy Gepte and Dr. Lulu Bravo, Executive Director, Philippine Foundation for Vaccination.

Tan cited the importance of pursuing the government’s immunization program even during the community quarantine as a way to ensure that children are protected from future pandemics.

“We have several initiatives in Congress in relation to the country’s immunization program,” Tan revealed. “We are pushing for the creation of the NITAG, a national immunization advisory board, and we are trying to adopt a school-based immunization program that will benefit our students,” she added.

Tan also reaffirmed her call for an open, competitive bidding process in vaccines. According to Tan, an important element in the immunization program is to ensure that the procurement of vaccines is done in such a way that no single manufacturer is favored. The specifications in bidding should not favor a single brand.

Health Undersecretary Dr. Ma. Rosario Vergeire explained in the same forum that the DOH suspended the bidding for PCVs after new evidence that they need to look into more carefully was presented.

“Nung lumabas ang bagong ebidensiya na sinubmit sa atin, ang desisyon namin ay ipasok muna sa Health Technology Assessment Center (HTAC). HTAC is reviewing the procurement, which is really the right process. Ngayon po hindi pa lumalabas ang recommendation ng HTAC,” Vergeire revealed.

The DOH previously requested the HTAC to review the National Immunization Program (NIP), particularly the Pneumococcal Vaccination Program for children, in light of new 2017 and 2019 evidence from the World Health Organization (WHO).

In February 2019, WHO reaffirmed this earlier position saying that the two available PCVs in the market--PCV10 and PCV13--are equally effective in preventing overall pneumococcal diseases in children. The position paper also states that there is at present insufficient evidence of a difference in the net impact of the two available PCVs on overall disease burden.

During the Kapihan webinar zoom meeting, Dr. Lulu Bravo, an epidemiologist, and professor of Pediatric Infectious and Tropical Diseases at the College of Medicine of UP Manila stressed that the new evidence regarding PCVs that came out recently came from experts themselves.

 “According to the WHO, when it comes to pneumococcal vaccination for children, both PCV10 and PCV13 are just as good. The important thing is cost-effectiveness,” Bravo noted.

 “We should follow what the WHO says, being experts in their field. If you cannot believe WHO, who will you believe?” she added

“Both vaccines exist. If the health assessment proves that both PCV10 and PCV13 have the same effects, then we need to go through a procurement process that’s open and competitive so the government can save on costs,” Tan said.

On a related note, Rep. Adriano A. Ebcas of the Ako Padayon Pilipino Partylist revealed that he and three other partylist representatives filed a resolution urging the DOH to ensure the continued safe implementation of the mandated National Immunization Program for children despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The House Resolution aims to encourage and support the DOH in its endeavor to contain the current outbreak and prevent future community outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The resolution also aims to secure and ensure a stable supply of available vaccines through the continued conduct of open, fair, and competitive bidding, thereby preventing any “outbreak within an outbreak.”

In the resolution, the solons declared,

“An open, fair, competitive public procurement of NIP vaccines provide the Filipino people the broadest possible options for affordable, quality, and registered vaccines, allowing for potential significant savings to the government while at the same promoting strong public governance.”

Chinese medical experts arrived in Manila to share their learnings in handling COVID-19 cases

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Twelve Chinese medical experts arrived in Manila April 5 to share their learnings in handling COVID-19 cases with Filipino medical professionals.

“They have a lot of good practices when they managed their COVID-19 patients in Wuhan and Hubei,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, referring to the Chinese medical experts who had firsthand experience in the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak.

However, Duque clarified that their tasks will be purely advisory. “It is really guiding how to improve, level-up our COVID-19 response, learn different levels of surveillance, risk-assessment, isolation strategies, detection through accurate testing, clinical case management, and non-pharmaceutical public health measures," he added. 

The Chinese medical experts, together with DOH staff, are scheduled to visit RITM, the Lung Center of the Philippines, San Lazaro Hospital and quarantine facilities to train Filipino medical professionals. They will be here for 15 days or until April 19. 

The Chinese experts also brought with them 5,000 PPEs, 300,000 surgical masks, 30,000 medical N95 masks, 5,000 medical protective face shields and 30 non-invasive ventilators from the Chinese Government.

(Press Release/5 April 2020)

Eye Health Services Part of Universal Health Care --- DOH

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An estimated 2.2 billion people around the world suffer from vision impairment. Yet the first World Health Report on Vision, recently by the World Health Organization (WHO), reveals that half of them, or about 1.1 billion, do not receive the care they need for conditions like near and far sightedness, glaucoma, and cataracts.

Forum on World Report on Vision 2019 press conference (L-R): Dr. Andreas Mueller, Regional Advisor, World Health Organization (WHO) and Dr. Leo Cubillan, Director, Philippine Eye Research Institute (PERI)

Based on the 2018 Philippine National Blindness Survey and Eye Disease Study conducted by the Philippine Eye Research Institute of the National Institute for Health, vision impairment and blindness rank among the major concerns in the country with a current prevalence rate of 1.98%. This represents 1.11 million Filipinos with cataract, 400,000 with uncorrected error of refraction, almost 300,000 with glaucoma, and 200,000 with maculopathy. Additionally, there are over 4 millionFilipinos living with undiagnosed eye problems that need to be addressed.

Although the prevalence of bilateral blindness due to cataracts and errors of refraction has decreased in the past years, there are still thousands of Filipinos with moderate to severe vision impairment.

“We are fortunate that these diseases can be treated with surgery or prescription eyeglasses. These can also be easily prevented with regular consumption of Vitamin A, injury prevention, and immunization for measles and rubella that cause vision impairment,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque emphasized.

In line with the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, the Department of Health (DOH) is gearing toward providing comprehensive eye care services, integrating eye care within local health systems, and responding to emerging eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

“Through the primary care provider network that will be institutionalized under UHC, we hope to bring easy access and seamless referral to ophthalmic units, comprehensive eye centers, and national ophthalmic specialty centers. These health facilities will be capacitated to deliver the appropriate eye care services,” Duque explained.

The country’s Prevention of Blindness Program is revamped with the issuance of revised policies, aligning the program with UHC and WHO’s goal of universal eye health, while ensuring that it remains responsive to the changing trends in blindness and visual impairment.

“The DOH is fully committed to working with our partners to address blindness and visual impairment in our country. Together, we can achieve our vision of Filipinos enjoying the right to sight, with no one going needlessly blind or visually-impaired,” the Health Chief concluded.

DoH leads talks on lessons learned from EU health programmes, inputs for Universal Healthcare Law implementation in PH

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The Department of Health (DoH), together with the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), recently held discussions on EU support to the Philippine health sector reform agenda, particularly key learnings from two budget support programmes implemented by the EU in the Philippines. The event took place last June 3 at the Manila Hotel in Manila City. 

(L-R) Dr. Albert Domingo, WHO Philippines Representative; Dr. Mar Wyn Bello, DOH Health Promotion and Communication Service Director; Dr. Gundo Weiler, WHO Representative to the Philippines; Dr. Mario Villaverde, DOH Undersecretary; Dr. Diana Van Daele, EU Delegation in the Philippines’ Programme Manager Health, and Dr. Giovanni Cascone, Team Leader of Experts evaluating the 2 Budget Support Programmes.

Aside from the budget support programmes, the event also focused on recommendations and action plans for the recently enacted Universal Healthcare (UHC) law, an act that aims to promote equal access to essential health services while protecting beneficiaries against financial risk that these services ma

Dr. Giovanni Cascone

EU consultant Dr. Giovanni Cascone led the presentation on the second phase of the Health Sector Policy Support Programme and the Philippine Health Sector Reform Contract (PHRSC) evaluation. Both budget support programmes by the EU that have enabled the local health department to deliver better healthcare services to people in many parts of the country.

Among the numerous key learnings from the implementation of these programs is the utilisation of a demand-driven approach, which enabled PHRSC proponents to provide healthcare tailored to the needs of the population. Both programmes also resulted in an increase in the number of Philippine National Health Insurance Programmebeneficiaries from 62% in 2010 to 92% in 2018, the establishment of drug recovery clinics offering evidenced-based drug abuse treatments, and improved sexual and reproductive health care services for numerous beneficiaries in the last ten years.

“The last ten years have been fruitful for health reforms based on the evaluation. The programmes enabled countless Filipinos to improve their overall health, especially women and children in far-flung areas of the country who need access to quality healthcare the most,” said Cascone. “It’s all thanks to the hard work of the DoH, and selfless individuals whocontributed to health reforms over the years.”

Dr. Gundo Weiler​​ ​

DoH Dr. Mario Villaverde and Dr. Mar Wyn Bello

DoH Undersecretary Dr. Mario Villaverde and WHO representative Dr. Gundo Weiler followed with discussions onrecommendations related to the implementation of the UHC law in the Philippines. These recommendations include increasing support for DoH and PhilHealth in terms of health financing, implementation of new policies, health management and governance, and prioritising the development of human resources for health, to name a few.

“The UHC act provides an actionable legal mandate for the integration of primary health care within the government health system and encourages sectoral reform cooperation and action on a wide range of health needs,” Weiler said.

Villaverde said that the three priorities of the UHC law should be the unification of the fragmented local healthcare system, financing and efficient use of resources, and crafting a regulatory framework that covers pricing, quality, and distribution of services. “By prioritising these, it will enable us and our partner organisations to lay the groundwork for a more comprehensive UHC later on.”

WHO representative Dr. Albert Domingo said that aside from these, another priority should be the definition of roles of each organisation involved in the UHC’s implementation. “The meat of the UHC Law, among many other things, should be getting the roles clearly delineated and ensuring that there is accountability.”

“If we are able to define the rules and responsibilities by concretely assigning them to particular actors such as the province- and city-level systems, then we might be able to move things forward much more efficiently,” Domingo added.

Both the EU and WHO then pledged that they will remain committed to helping DoH fulfil its mandate of creating amore democratised healthcare system in the Philippines. "We will always be ready to support and assist the Philippines in unity with other members of the UHC Partnership, because health for all must be health by all," said Weiler.