World Vision's Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines Re-Launches Updated Reporting Platform and Public Service Announcement

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World Vision Development Foundation’s Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines (MBFP) 
re-launched reporting platforms to officially present the enhancements in the website and mobile app, and introduce its first Public Service Announcement (PSA) and TV ads that aims to inspire other moms to continue breastfeeding beyond 2 years, despite all the struggles they may be facing. 

In August 2017, World Vision Development Foundation’s Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines (MBFP) project introduced three reporting platforms that seek to monitor compliance and non-compliance to Executive Order 51 (Philippine Milk Code of 1986), Republic Act 7600 (Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992), and Republic Act 10028 (Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009). 

MBFP developed a website (mbfp.doh.gov.ph), a mobile application (MBF Ph), and a text mechanism to encourage a crowd-based monitoring system of the mentioned laws. As of this writing, more than 200 reported violations have already been validated and are being acted upon by the concerned government agencies. 

MBFP re-launched its reporting platforms to officially present the enhancements in the website and mobile app, including a more user-friendly interface and Filipino translation of the report form. The app, on the other hand, now includes a Growth Chart and Early Child Care and Development (ECCD) Checklist to assist parents in tracking the development of their child. 

Several officials from the Department of Health, as well as MBFP’s partners from the local government units of Malabon, Manila, and Quezon City were present at the event. World Vision Ambassadors Christine Bersola-Babao, Tippy Dos Santos and Gelli Victor participated in the activity.

World Vision and DOH partner to strengthen implementation of Philippine Milk Code

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Carleneth San Valentin, World Vision Health and Nutrition Technical Manager 

The international humanitarian organization World Vision and the Department of Health signed a memorandum of agreement that formalized their partnership in the Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines (MBFP) project. The Ceremonial Contract Signing, World Vision aims to strengthen the monitoring and compliance to Executive Order 51 (Philippine Milk Code of 1986) by officially launching reporting channels in partnership with Department of Health.

This October 6, 2017 held at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City,  the simple ceremony were attended by DOH Sec. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial, DOH undersecretaries and assistant secretaries, World Vision National Director Rommel Fuertes and World Vision Health and Nutrition Technical Manager Carleneth San Valentin. The local chief executives of the project’s pilot sites – Malabon, Manila, and Quezon City – also graced the event with their presence.

World Vision launched the Crowd-Based Monitoring of Milk Code Compliance (CMMCC) project, otherwise known as Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines last November 2016. 

The project aims to improve the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 51, also known as the Philippine Milk Code of 1986, and its revised Implementing Rules and Regulations and Republic Act (RA) No. 10028, by encouraging crowd-sourced monitoring and by developing reporting channels where the public can report non-compliance to the mentioned laws.

EO 51 seeks to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding, and to regulate the marketing of breast milk substitutes, breast milk supplements, and other related products. RA No. 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, on the other hand, aims to uphold breastfeeding in the workplace by requiring companies and establishments to put up lactation stations and to provide breastfeeding breaks to lactating moms.

The MBFP project committee, recognizing accessibility as a necessity in achieving its goal, officially launched three new reporting channels for the public: 

• Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines website
• Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines mobile application
• Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines SMS or texting mechanism

As a breastfeeding advocate, World Vision supports and promotes exclusive breastfeeding (a steady diet of breast milk only) for the first six months of an infant’s life, and then continued breastfeeding with complementary food until the child reaches at least two years of age, to ensure healthy growth and development.

DOH formalized agreement with Pilipinas Go4Health partners

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Pilipinas Go4Health, the nationwide healthy lifestyle movement spearheaded by the Department of Health (DOH) and with its partners, formalized its partnerships with a variety of institutions during a ceremonial memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing at the Department of Health Compound in Manila last November 20, 2013.

It aims to inform and encourage Filipinos from all walks of life to practice a healthy lifestyle by making a personal commitment to physical activity, proper nutrition, and the prevention or cessation of smoking and alcohol consumption. Through the movement, DOH and its partners work together to promote and establish a sustainable environment for healthy living.

The MOU signing ceremony was attended by GT Metro Foundation, UCPB Gen, Philips Electronics, PhilRice, Global Academy, Bikram Yoga Alabang, Asian Medical Students Association, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Asian Hospital and Medical Center. DOH officials and representatives from the National Center for Health Promotion (NCHP) led the ceremony, where the efforts of the Pilipinas Go4Health partners were recognized.

“This is another exciting milestone for us because we know that we are all in this fight against non-communicable disease (NCDs) together,” said Health Secretary Enrique Ona. 

“From the moment we learned about the rise of non-communicable diseases or NCDs, it became our mission to avert its long-term impact on the lives of Filipinos, knowing that the new lifestyle is mostly sedentary. Data also indicate that we have a diet that is high in cholesterol and fat, and that we need to more about smoking and heavy drinking,” Secretary Ona stressed.

Health is Wealth. To maintain our good health, we should have light exercise, morning walk regularly, always take balanced and nutritious diet, we should always be away from the bad habits like smoking, drinking and drug addiction.

Pilipinas Go4Health is a healthy lifestyle movement that aims to encourage Filipinos to commit to living healthy with :

Go Sustansya

They say you are what you eat. Our fast-paced lifestyle has led to a reliance on instant meals and fast food restaurants. There’s no harm in wanting to make life a bit easier, but doing so at the cost of one’s health is a no-no. Typically, these “quick” meals are loaded with unhealthy ingredients for them to last longer or cook easier.

Healthy meals are always the best source of energy, vitamins and minerals that people need everyday. A healthy diet includes: whole grains, healthy protein, fish, vegetables, fruits, and dairy. Eating healthy is easy and need not be expensive. The first step is understanding better and healthier meal options. One also needs to establish a positive attitude about food, know how much calories is needed daily, must know the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ in terms of fats and carbs.

Go Sigla

Getting physical is one of the basic ways of keeping one’s self in tip-top shape. But with very busy schedules, people sometimes find it difficult to squeeze in workouts and exercises.

There are a lot of ways of being physically active. They can be simple things such as using the stairs when climbing up or going down a floor or two and walking to your destination when it’s a few blocks away. Even the simplest household tasks such as gardening and cleaning the house are considered exercise.

Different activities target specific parts of the body. There are endurance activities like brisk walking, dancing and biking, that strengthen the heart and lungs. Flexibility activities that strengthen the muscles include stretching, gardening, and doing various household chores. And there are strengthening activities that concentrate on the strength of bones and muscles, such as climbing up the stairs, lifting weights, and doing push-ups. Tai Chi, do heel-to-toe walk, and balancing on one foot help in maintaining balance.

Go Slow sa Tagay

For some, drinking is a way to relax and unwind. But when it comes to alcohol consumption, moderation is very important.  For men, two drinks are recommended, while women are urged to take one drink.

It also aims to promote safe and responsible driving, and lessen motor vehicle accidents. Under RA 10586, law enforcement can conduct random field sobriety tests, chemical and confirmatory tests on motorists suspected of driving under the influence.

Responsible drinking is the key. Moderate alcohol drinking may contribute in reducing one’s risk for: heart diseases, strokes, particularly is schemic stroke gall stones and diabetes.

Go Smoke-free

Smoking is a deadly habit. Ten Filipinos die every hour because of smoking. Across the globe, there are 1.1 billion smokers, and if current trends continues, the number of smokers will reach 1.6 billion by year 2025. In the Philippines, 28 percent, or 17.3 million Filipino adults aged 15 years and older are current tobacco smokers, according to 2009 data by the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). But it is not only first-hand smoking that kills. Exposure to secondhand smoke is prevalent as well. 

 Smoking is associated with:

          (1) cardiovascular diseases (including heart diseases and stroke);

          (2) diabetes;

          (3) cancer; and

          (4) chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and asthma.

Countries are making efforts to reduce, if not eliminate, tobacco use. The World Health Organization (WHO) supports countries through the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). WHO also introduced the MPOWER measures, which aims to assist the implementation of programs to reduce tobacco demand.

Launched in June 2013, Pilipinas Go4Health is gaining a strong following among the public and private sectors, academe, local governments, and in online and social media.

Secretary Ona said that this milestone signals the start of bigger, more sustained actions toward a healthier Philippines. 

“With the help of our leaders, our employers, our schools, our families, and our champions, we will inspire every Filipino, from the young to the old, to embrace a healthy future. Because we owe it to ourselves to fight for that future,” Secretary Ona said. 

“We salute the work of our partners, who are making great strides against NCDs. If you and your organization share the same passion for building a stronger and healthier Philippines, be part of Pilipinas Go4Health by registering on the website, www.go4health.ph. We are urging everyone to share their time, ideas, and resources so we can succeed in making health a reality for every Filipino,” Secretary Ona adds.

Here's a videp taken during the DOH MOU with Pilipinas Go4Health Partners, lead by DOH Assistant Secretary Dr. Enrique Tayag.

Manila Water Foundation upholds importance of proper handwashing

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Manila Water Foundation, the additional corporate social responsibility arm of East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Company for areas outside Metro Manila, visited different parts of the archipelago spreading the value of handwashing as part of proper hygiene and healthcare. The Foundation joined over 100 countries, involving more than 200 million people across five continents in celebrating the 2013 Global Handwashing Day.

Carla Beriña-Kim, Executive Director of Manila Water Foundation, imparts that handwashing serves as an easy and cost-effective measure in preventing different infections and diseases. “This simple task can lower the number of people affected by fast-spreading illnesses that take a toll not only on one’s health, but also on the family’s budget. When done properly, regularly and collectively, handwashing can create healthier communities”, says Beriña-Kim.

On its first year to lead a series of events for the Global Handwashing Day in the Philippines, Manila Water Foundation staged a week-long celebration that saw more than 7,000 people participating in its activities. Students, teachers, and school personnel from different schools in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Laguna, and Boracay Island were visited by the Foundation, informing them on the proper way of washing one’s hands and how responsibly transforming this into a habit may reduce vulnerability to different health risks and infections. 

Partakers were encouraged to stamp their handprints on the pledge wall to signify their commitment to practice proper handwashing and to encourage their family and friends to do the same. In a move to further its advocacy, Manila Water Foundation extended its efforts by setting up booths that deliver information on the benefits of handwashing in Trinoma Mall in Quezon City, Pavillion Mall in Biñan, Laguna, Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Marquee Mall in Angeles, Pampanga. Participants showed their support to the cause by contributing in the pledge sticker wall. As its culminating event, the Foundation conducted an information and education drive at the Boracay Beach Front Station One and enjoined tourists and locals alike to practice proper handwashing.

The successful celebration was co-presented by Manila Water, Laguna Water, Clark Water, Boracay Water, and supported by the Department of Education, Globe Telecom, Ayala Malls, Unilever (Vaseline as official soap sponsor), Universal Robina Corporation (Granny Goose Tortillos, Mang Juan, Hunt’s and Refresh), Unilab (RiteMed and Ceelin Plus) and Enchanted Kingdom, as well as media partners, The Philippine Star, Business World, Health Today and Working Mom.

PAE joins forces with Green Cross in the Fight against Dengue

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The Philippine Association of Entomologists Inc. (PAE), the leading organization of insect experts in the country, has once again partnered with Green Cross, makers of Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion, in disseminating information and promoting preventive measures to avoid the dreaded dengue disease. This mosquito-borne virus, an alarming health issue with a nationwide scale, has been an endemic presence in tropical countries such as the Philippines.

“We believe that spreading accurate, up-to-date information is a key area in our shared goal with Green Cross in order for people to be duly armed against the disease,” says Dr. Barbara Laviña Caoili, PAE president. 

“The first step is to clarify, if not outright debunk, misconceptions about how the disease spreads, and affects its victims.”

One of the misconceptions that the PAE and Green Cross want to immediately address is the notion that dengue-carrying mosquitoes only attack during the day. While this may be true with the species Aedes aegypti (usually recognized with the stripes on their body) that has peak biting hours between 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., another dengue-lamok, the Aedes albopictus, has been discovered to have peak biting hours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.

“Not much research was devoted on Aedes albopictus since this species, usually found in forests, didn’t have direct contact with humans previously,” says Dr. Caoili. “But as humans encroach into their habitats, the dengue-lamok has found another blood source to feast on, helping spread the dengue virus in the process. With its peak biting hours from late afternoon to late evening, dengue has become a round-the-clock concern.”

Another misconception that PAE and Green Cross wants clarified is that dengue only spreads during the rainy season since the rains create potential habitats for dengue-lamok in the form of stagnant water in potholes, vases, tires and other receptacles. While statistics show a dramatic rise of cases beginning from June to December and peaking during August, dengue incidents are reported throughout the year.

According to the official tally of the Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center, there were 110,257 incidents of dengue infection in 2011 and 187,031 cases in 2012. Statistics for this year show a marked improvement as infection cases from the first six months dropped to 56,056 cases from 60,902 cases of the same period last year. However, dengue is still considered as one of the country’s main health threats.

What the statistics additionally reveal is the fact that dengue severely affect children and adolescents. “Based on data, 43.08% of dengue infection cases fell between the 5 to 14 years old range,” says Vince Camua, Senior Brand Manager for Green Cross. “This calls for a more concerted effort in reaching out to this demographic and a host of preventive measures that will help people combat this disease.”

One of these measures is an easy-to-use personal repellent that will serve as a barrier against dengue-lamok. Based on research, Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion has been clinically proven to be effective and safe as a preventive measure in offering long-lasting protection against the two species of dengue-carriers, the Aedes aegypti and the Aedes albopictus.

Providing up to 10 hours protection from a single application, Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion has been formulated to suit all skin types and to be hypoallergenic as well. It also has an anti-bacterial component, making it a more reliable insect repellent compared to the existing brands in the market.

“With the partnership of PAE and Green Cross, we hope to contribute to the well-being of the Filipinos by providing a safe and effective defense against dengue-lamok, as well as provide relevant and timely information to consumers through our various programs,” says Camua. Through the combination of information and prevention, people can take a more pro-active choice in their fight against this dengue.

DOH, MSD, Medical Societies Come Together to Prevent Cervical Cancer

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Implement free nationwide screening for the month of May

The Department of Health (DOH), global pharmaceutical company MSD and medical societies hope to go full circle for this year’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in May, and strike directly at the source of cervical cancer—the human papillomavirus or HPV.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in both men and women which causes cervical cancer. According to the World Health Organization, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer afflicting women worldwide with about 500,000 new cases and 250,000 deaths each year. In the Philippines, an estimated 12 Filipino women die due to cervical cancer each day.

For these reasons, the DOH and MSD, along with medical societies Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS), Society of Gynecologic Oncologists of the Philippines (SGOP) and Philippine Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (PSCPC), continue with their partnership, dubbed as Babae, MahalagaKa!, for the 6^th year of the Cervical Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM) celebration.

Free cervical cancer screening will be offered to women aged 30-49 years old in 58 DOH-retained hospitals nationwide for the whole month of May. “Screening, either through Pap smear or visual inspection using acetic acid (VIA), should be done on women who are sexually active or had history of sexual contact. This service is being offered for free every May in government hospitals, to help detect cervical cancer in its early stage, while it is still treatable and curable,” said Dr. Rey Delos Reyes, past President of POGS and SGOP, consultant of Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

“The good news is that early this year, PhilHealth included the treatment for cervical cancer in the Z Benefit Package program. The benefit package includes cervical cancer chemoradiation with cobalt or primary surgery worth Php120,000 or cervical cancer chemoradiation with linear accelerator for Php175,000 depending on what is needed by the patient,” imparts DOH Secretary Enrique Ona.

Apart from free screenings nationwide, MSD in partnership with DOH will be providing free quadrivalent HPV vaccinations to 9,000 girls aged 13 years old this coming school year. “Our mission is not only to discover and develop medicines and vaccines for unmet medical needs but we would also like to make these accessible to people who can benefit from them. This initiative would help demonstrate how to implement a school-based vaccination program which can serve as a model for a national program,” shares Sanjiv Navangul, President and Managing Director of MSD in the Philippines.

Aside from cervical cancer, the quadrivalent HPV vaccine can also prevent vulvar and vaginal cancer, as well as genital warts. It is important to note that HPV is implicated in various diseases aside from cervical cancer such as cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, head and neck, and genital warts. It is themost common sexually transmitted infection in both men and women. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that HPV is so common that nearly all sexually-active men and women get it at some point in their lives.

“Due to the many risks that HPV poses and the many lives claimed by cervical cancer, the DOH hopes that through the yearly celebration of CCAM, more and more women will be educated and encouraged to undergo screening and vaccination, “says Secretary Ona.

Green Cross initiates dengue defense in school

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This year has seen a noticeable mount of dengue cases in the country. According to the Department of Health‟s Dengue Surveillance Report, 95,142 victims have been affected by the mosquito-born disease in the first nine months of 2012 alone. A significant 12.94% increase from last year‟s same period, this turnaround left even school administration to be more vigilant and take extra preventive measures against the dreaded disease.

During the Green Cross School Crashers, the students learn the Day and Night Dengue Lamok defense, a stance similar to a karate block which shows how little kids block off deadly dengue lamok from coming near them.

The widespread transmission of dengue

The hasty transmission of the resilient virus has led school administrators, particularly the Lourdes School of Mandaluyong (LSM), to ascertain that the mosquito vector‟s highly adaptable quality is partly to blame. “These mosquitoes can easily adapt to changes in the environment, find new places to breed and even effortlessly adjust to human settlements. Previous efforts like defogging would only temporarily drive mosquitoes away, and they would be here again to look for a new prey,” shares Ana Eva Bolinao, School Principal of LSM. Bolinao also reveals that the school has recorded 20 cases of dengue out of its total population of about 1,200 high school and grade school students. The widespread resurgence of dengue may also be attributed to the latest discovery of experts of another mosquito vector stalking the city. Historically, dengue infection in the country had been attributed to the mosquito species Aedes aegypti, whose attack is far more common during the day. Entomologists have recently reported the presence of Aedes albopictus, a once confined species to forested areas, now in cities where people live. A secondary vector of the dengue virus, Ae. albopictus is as lethal as the Ae. aegypti and was found to be an active biter at late afternoon and even at night.

All students will not go home empty handed.  Aside from learning about the harmful day and night dengue lamok, they also get to take home educational brochures with fun activities inside for them to answer and share with family members.

Preventive measures against dengue

Dr. Raymond Manuel, Pediatrician and School Physician of LSM shares that cleaning campaigns like defogging has been carried out in school premises usually after classes to destroy possible mosquito breeding grounds. However the school physician discloses that apart from mosquito larva killing and eliminating pools of stagnant water, the most effective dengue preventive measure are awareness campaigns. “Though we have adequate knowledge related to the disease „dengue,‟ others do not have sufficient knowledge about the virus. And while we have a number of preventive practices against the disease like defogging, its effectiveness against dengue will be very minimal if the victims themselves aren‟t well-informed of the dengue-carrying mosquitoes,” stresses Dr. Manuel. School-aged children, especially those below 10 years old, appeared to be more susceptible to dengue virus.  These kids have fewer antibodies that are considered necessary to protect themselves against infections and illnesses, dengue included. The school has already incorporated dengue information dissemination campaign in classroom discussions during the students‟ science subject. This not only creates an opportunity for teachers to lead the class about the dangers of the disease, it all the more builds the students' knowledge from symptoms to preventive measures.

Grade school students meet the two naughty school crashers they need to avoid -Daytime Dengue Lamok (Ae. Aegypti) and Nighttime Dengue Lamok (Ae. Albopictus, and learn the deadly virus they carry with them.

The Green Cross School Crashers

Very timely is the Green Cross School Crashers campaign which was recently launched at LSM and at several Metro Manila schools. As Green Cross sees the vital importance of awareness campaigns, it embarks a Day and Night Dengue Defense drive to acquaint young students and parents alike on facts about dengue. Through the Green Cross School Crashers, students get to understand the disease, its symptoms, and defensive measures in a fun and interactive way. During the Green Cross School Crashers activity, grade school students meet Ms. Green, a Green Cross Insect Repellent Ambassador, and two costumed character mascots, Daytime Dengue Lamok (Ae. aegypti) and Nighttime Dengue Lamok (Ae. albopictus). The lessons are taught through interactive storytelling where kids learn all about dengue prevention and the dangers of dengue. Children do not only learn about the harmful day and night dengue lamok but also get to take home educational brochures they may share with family members. Aside from useful tips to keep their homes and community from becoming the breeding sites of dengue lamok, the leaflet has fun activities inside and even a survey form kids can answer and get a chance to take home a limited edition school supply kit.

The best line of defense

Though there are a number of initiatives to prevent breeding sites and protect oneself from dengue, the best line of defense is still personal protection. The use of insect repellents is highly advisable especially to protect those exposed skin one can not cover up with long-sleeved tops or pants. And the only proven protection against day and night dengue lamok is the new Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion. It protects you from harmful mosquitoes for up to 10 hours. It also has an antibacterial formulation proven to kill up to 99.9% of disease-causing germs, a benefit which Green Cross brand has always been known for. Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion is especially formulated to give complete protection from dengue mosquito bites, offering up to 10 hours protection per application. There are a number of effective, eco-friendly and sustainable strategies to combat dengue. Both the local government and school administration are sharing collaborative efforts in stopping the spread of this dreaded disease. Awareness campaigns are of vital importance and the Green Cross School Crashers is a welcome effort to control the spread of dengue virus. Several schools have joined and discovered this innovative way to defend oneself against dengue. Enlist your school in the Green Cross School Crashers. For more information, visit  www.facebook.com/greencrossphilippines or call the Green Cross School Crashers hotline at 0917 976 5980. Source: Department of Health Disease Surveillance Report Morbidity Week 35, Aug. 26 – Sept 1, 2012

Chikungunya virus on the move

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DOH:  cases of dengue-like mosquito-borne disease now rising

Little did we know that aside from dengue, there are many other life-threatening mosquito-borne diseases that have hounded Filipinos for decades.  Though there is no vaccine available in the country to cure these illnesses, preventive measures are available to assure safety of adults and children alike.

Last October, the Department of Health (DOH) warned the public to take extra precautions against the chikungunya virus.  The DOH confirmed that there were 150 recorded cases of this dengue-like disease last month.  And last year, more than 1,000 cases of chikungunya were recorded in the country.

The origin

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne virus first reported in Africa in 1952 and has spread in Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Europe and United States, infecting millions. Believed to be derived from an East African dialect that means “to be contorted,” chikungunya describes the curved posture of patients experiencing severe joint pain.

Just like dengue, chikungunya virus was caused primarily by Aedes aegypti, the daytime biting mosquito and by Aedes albopictus, a species of mosquito that bites most actively at night.

DON'T take mosquito bites for granted. Mosquitoes carry several potentially deadly viruses, including the dreaded Chikungunya virus. A Chikungunya infection may be fatal if left untreated--so it's best to prevent the infection by keeping away those pesky mosquitoes. Use Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion and level-up your kids' protection against mosquito-borne diseases.

The warning signs

Chikungunya shares some clinical signs with dengue as both manifest skin rashes and a high fever.  Its most distinctive characteristic though is severe joint pain which usually ends within a few days or weeks. Although a number of patients fully recover after a few days or weeks, there are some cases that joint pain or arthritis may persist for several months, or even years. Another distinct factor between dengue and chikungunya is that the former affects mostly children, while the later affects adults.

The transmission

DOH expressed fear that the virus might spread more widely because it survives in temperate climates, the Philippines included.    Increases in global travel and climate change might have encouraged its spread.

Though no vaccine or specific treatment for the disease has been discovered yet and treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms only, there are preventive measures against the virus.

Level-up protection

Prevention and control rely heavily on getting rid of the natural and artificial water-filled breeding grounds of the mosquitoes.  Unattended bottles, cans and tires with water inside are the usual breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and if left unchecked, a single pool of water can produce hundreds of chikungunya virus-carrying mosquitoes.

CHILDREN need to be protected from the Chikungunya virus, a potentially fatal dengue-like infection transmitted by day-biting and night-biting mosquitoes. Level up their protection with Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion.

Though clothing which minimizes skin exposure to these vectors is advisable; it is more prudent to use insect repellent lotions that can be applied anytime. And the most ideal insect repellent lotion is one that is effective not only against daytime-biting mosquitoes, but also mosquitoes that bite at night.

The new Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion is proven effective against both day and night mosquitoes, known carriers of both the dengue and chikungunya virus. It is ideal for families because it has long-lasting protection of up to10 hours, is hypoallergenic, and provides anti-bacterial protection that the Green Cross brand has always been known for.

The breakthrough discovery on day and night dengue-lamok teaches us to level up our anti-dengue measures. Now, with an additional threat on the move – chikungunya virus – this further teaches us to act on an urgent threat:  we need to change our mindsets and recognize the fact that insect repellent lotion may effectively protect us against these disease-carrying mosquitoes. 

A single mosquito bite may be deadly.  Do not let these pesky bugs come near you or your loved ones.  Use Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion as it may not only save your body from big red marks but also from serious illnesses like the chikungunya virus.

Do you know Saridon? Is it Effective or not?

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We must search for the best medicines to provide pain relief of  body aches and headaches. I didn’t do this for the past years because I just took famous name of paracetamol medicines. But after I survived an operation (with Brain Anuerysm)  last year, I always do research for the best medicines to take on the times of headaches and body aches. 

Saridon is an analgesic specially made for treating headaches. It is the headache specialist because it is specifically formulated to target persistent headaches. It provides fast and effective relief from mild to severe headaches. Saridon’s unique formula enables it to provide significant pain relief in as fast as 15 minutes. Studies have shown that Saridon is more effective than individual doses of ibuprofen, paracetamol, and aspirin.

Each Saridon tablet contains:

Paracetamol   (250 mg) - Paracetamol helps reduce fever and pain while providing long lasting relief.

Propyphenazone (150 mg) - Propyphenazone is an anti-inflammatory used to treat mild to moderate pain, like headaches, quickly.

Caffeine (50 mg) - Caffeine, when combined with other analgesics, improves their effects.

Paracetamol, Propyphenazone and Caffeine work together. Propyphenazone and Paracetamol are ingredients that provide pain relief. They complement each other well because Propyphenazone works quickly but loses its effect fast, while Paracetamol takes effect slowly but a has a longer lasting effect. The 3rd ingredient, Caffeine improves the effects of the other two ingredients. With it, the analgesics work better by 41%.

It is said that Saridon works faster and provides better pain relief than Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and Aspirin.

I read an article about Saridon written by Janette Toral in the Sunstar Cebu titled Toral : Drug Safety. The article is specifically about a medicine for headaches. As I continue my research on Saridon, here something caught my interest. True that this is an important matter for us all.  Saridon allegedly being unsafe, due to one of its ingredient, propyphenazone that may have side effects. Medicines should be restricted on specific cases.

There are countries like , Malaysia, Korea, Sri Lanka and Turkey, Saridon medicine which has Propyphenazone content is now banned.  But here in the Philippines, it's still available.

I have read articles with complains and worries about this medicine - Saridon. 

( Read this: http://www.duckyparedes.com/blogs/2010/07/20/mag-ingat-sa-saridon/) 

I searched for more thru Youtube. I will continue to find answers to our worries for our health.

I hope that Department of Health and Bayer provide us more information about the propyphenazone ban in other countries and why it's available in the Philippines. This is a public health matter.