Shinagawa links partnership with Fujifilm Philippines Inc. to advance preventive care in the Philippines

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 Shinagawa Diagnostic and Preventive Care Center is a subsidiary of Shinagawa LASIK & Aesthetics, the country’s leading Lasik provider

March 23, 2023, MANILA, Philippines – Early detection of diseases can aid in saving lives, giving patients more time to seek effective treatments that help lessen and possibly cure their symptoms. Shinagawa Diagnostic & Preventive Care Center takes this a step further and encourages preventive healthcare by offering more thorough and advanced examinations with the support of Fujifilm Philippines Inc.

(L-R) John Paul Camarillo, Deputy Division Manager of Medical Systems for Fujifilm Philippines Inc., Evan Reyes, Division Manager of Medical Systems for Fujifilm Philippines Inc., Masahiro Uehara, President of Fujifilm Philippines Inc., Masako Uemori, President of Shinagawa Philippines, Raymond Mendoza, MD, DPSP, Medical Director for Shinagawa Healthcare Solutions Corp., Christian Parra, MD, Family Medicine for Shinagawa Healthcare Solutions Corp., and Tahnee Sunga - Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Shinagawa Philippines

Committed to upholding high standard medical services, Shinagawa announces its partnership with Fujifilm Philippines Inc, an expert in prevention and diagnostics technology, in a signing ceremony today at Shangri-La The Fort. Through the collaboration, Shinagawa’s Diagnostic & Preventive Care Center acquires Fujifilm’s endoscopy equipment to conduct advanced testing for the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. This helps identify emerging diseases, such as stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal disorders, lung problems, and possibly tumors. The technology eases the detection process as it can spot even the smallest abnormality using endoscopes that place minimal stress on the patient.  

“It is of utmost importance to conduct detailed examinations regularly to find diseases at an early stage, leading to preventive care. In particular, Fujifilm's endoscopy equipment enables early detection of diseases that could not be found in advance by general medical checkups in the Philippines, and we believe this will lead to preventive medicine,” said Masako Uemori, President of Shinagawa LASIK and Aesthetics, Philippines.

Fujifilm Philippines Inc guarantees the prime condition and maintenance of equipment to ensure that all examinations produce in-depth results for more accurate diagnosis. The diagnostics technology company will also be conducting a series of training sessions for Shinagawa doctors and staff to fully regulate the use of the machines, assuring safe and accurate examinations. Through the synergy of Shinagawa’s Japanese-standard medical services and Fujifilm’s innovative healthcare equipment, improved quality of life, diagnosis, and prevention are now made more accessible.

The Shinagawa Diagnostic & Preventive Care will have its grand opening this April. Those who are interested in the center may check out Shinagawa’s official Facebook page @ShinagawaDiagnostic or the official website at www.shinagawa-healthcare.ph to book an appointment. Shinagawa Diagnostic & Preventive Care Center is located at Ore Central Tower, BGC.

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ABOUT SHINAGAWA 

Being the world leader in LASIK and Aesthetic medicine, Shinagawa takes on a new role this 2023 in diagnostic and preventive care. Shinagawa Diagnostic & Preventive Care is the first one-stop medical hub that offers Japanese-standard health services that provide a wide range of diagnostic tests and customizable screenings by globally competitive medical specialists in bringing convenient, efficient, and affordable preventive diagnostic centers. Through this, the company can pursue its commitment to providing “Health and Well-being for All” and heightening prevention awareness among Filipinos to realize that early detection is better than cure.

PH’s fastest-growing app sets the record for the biggest nationwide online medical mission

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mWell unites hundreds of doctor-volunteers, mental health experts,
and health-conscious Filipinos on National mWellness Day

Last August 27-28, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s (PSE: MPI) mWell, the Philippines’ fastest-growing health app, made history by gathering hundreds of doctors, medical specialists, and mental health experts to give free online consultation and sound medical advice to patients and health-conscious Filipinos from all over the country.

National mWellness Day, mounted for the 2nd time since its inception in 2021, has achieved a milestone in its mission to bring quality healthcare to more Filipinos nationwide in the new normal by providing free online consultation to hundreds of patients from all over the country through the mWell PH app.

The two-day advocacy event was helmed by hundreds of family doctors and specialists from Metro Manila, Cagayan De Oro, Davao, and Zamboanga who donated their time to provide consultation via the mWell app, while mental health advocates from MindNation and Makati Medical Center Wellness Center gave on-call services for free mental health counselling.

Dr. Reymark Calma congratulated mWell for the event which allowed him to feel the true spirit of volunteerism while fellow volunteer, Dr. Mark Calban said, “It was such an inspiring experience serving the medical needs of patients not only from Metro Manila but from different provinces.” Expressing her appreciation for the support she received, Dr. Mae Doctolero, said, “The responsive tech team and operations support made everything so easy.”

A record number of patients, including celebrities, Metro Manila-based journalists and regional influencers were able to consult for free. After the consultation, they also received free e-prescription, medical certificates, lab referrals and vouchers.

Despite hectic schedules, doctors and mental health experts from all over the country willingly donated their time and expertise to provide free consultation via the mWell app.

Hundreds of patients from across the country were able to consult for free via the user-friendly mWell PH app.

Patients expressed gratitude for the free consultation. They found the doctors to be very kind and approachable. “The consultation flow is good and clear,” said one of the patients while another writes, “This is the best teleconsultation I have experienced.” An mWell user who had a consultation with the dermatologist gave this feedback: “My doctor is amazing. She was on time and provided me with all the support.” A mom whose daughter had fever was so thankful that they were able to consult a pediatrician for free. She said: “Laking tulong para sa mga nanay na tulad ko. Ang daling gamitin at ang bait ng duktor. Buti na lang may mWell app!”

mWell partners, including the country’s top insurance companies – PhilCare and Generali gave their full support for the advocacy along with Makati Medical Center Foundation, MPIC Foundation, Unilab, MedExpress, 24 Alkaline-C and PiCur antioxidant.

Advocacy leads: Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Chief Finance, Risk and Sustainability Officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla and MPIC President, Chairman and CEO, Manny V. Pangilinan.

At the same time, mWell provided free consultation to residents of Barangay Lumutan, a remote community in General Nakar, Quezon through mWell OnTheGo, a portable digital clinic. The mWell OnTheGo bag was filled with a tablet and a phone preloaded with the mWell PH app containing a health pass code for free online consultation. Foldable solar panels, battery, and Smart pocket wifi were also donated to enable the residents to consult anytime.

National mWellness Day is in support of the MVP Group’s Gabay Kalusugan advocacy focusing on quality and affordable healthcare. MPIC President, Chairman and CEO, Manny V. Pangilinan says, “Filipinos now have better access to healthcare through mWell’s integrated digital healthcare ecosystem with a wide and sustainable network of medical experts and services.”

For Chaye Cabal-Revilla, Chief Finance, Risk and Sustainability Officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, sustainability is the backbone of the work done across the group. Cabal-Revilla says, “Being able to serve Filipinos nationwide is at the heart of what we do in mWell. That’s why we dedicated two days working with volunteer docs and partners to provide consultation for free. As part of the MPIC Group, mWell is committed to work towards the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.”

mWell OnTheGo empowered Dumagats in Brgy Lumutan, General Nakar, Quezon to consult online for free using the mWell PH app.

Download the mWell PH app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Follow mWell on Facebook and mwellph on Instagram for more updates.

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ABOUT mWell

mWell, is the health technology platform developed by Metro Pacific Health Tech Corporation that offers telemedicine, health and wellness programs, e-commerce, among others, in an integrated, tech-based healthcare digital ecosystem. Metro Pacific Health Tech Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, the leading infrastructure investment company in the Philippines with investments in various infrastructure assets including healthcare.

Free medical consultation for foodpanda partner riders

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On a mission to continue providing healthcare and safety benefits to its Ka-pandas, foodpanda has partnered with KonsultaMD to provide its fleet of partner riders, e-scooters, bikers, and walkers with free telemedicine consultation services.

Through the partnership, which ran March to June, thousands of Ka-pandas from the country’s leading online quick commerce platform were offered 24/7 free unlimited voice consultations and 4 video consultations with licensed medical doctors through the KonsultaMD app.

“Maayos naman po ang naging experience ko rito sa KonsultaMD sa pag-papakonsulta ng aking nararamdaman sa dibdib. Binigyan po ako agad ng reseta sa online session. Maganda po ang serbisyo, para na rin akong nagpatingin sa ospital, “said Junrey Sahitas, a 22-year-old foodpanda partner rider.

Aside from the video consultations, the healthcare program also included prescriptions, laboratory requests, and other services.

As a father to a 7-month-old baby, Renz Cedrick Sta. Maria was delighted when he found that that the free health plan also extends to up to 4 more dependents of foodpanda delivery partners. “Pina-check ko po yung baby ko kasi hinihingal po siya noon, parang hinihika. Nag fill-out po ako ng form at hindi rin nagtagal ang paghihintay ko at nag-send agad sila ng reseta.“

According to Patricia Jacinto, Operations Director of foodpanda Philippines, they decided to extend the program from May to June coming from its initial run last March to April as they saw how the program was well-received by the Ka-panda fleet. “We all know that our Ka-panda partner riders are more prone to health and safety risks as they are always on the road. This is our way of providing them with an added layer of support and protection as our partner delivery riders, and we are quite happy that they also deemed this helpful for them and for their family members.”

Jacinto also shared that they made the process of availing convenient for their partner riders by sending the unique voucher code to their rider app so they can easily redeem the health plan from the KonsultaMD app.

On top of the free consultation service, foodpanda has also been consistent at rolling out programs that will prioritize the health and safety of its Ka-panda delivery partners. It includes linking them to PhilHealth to access basic healthcare benefits and a free insurance coverage that will protect them while they make deliveries on the road.

About foodpanda:

foodpanda is dedicated to bringing food lovers their favorite meals from curated local restaurants in the Philippines. Since its creation, the on-demand food delivery service has grown to more than 170,000 partner restaurants in more than 325 cities across 13 Asian and Central Europe markets. foodpanda Philippines currently operates in 150 cities and municipalities across the Philippines and continuously expanding. foodpanda is a subsidiary under Delivery Hero, a worldwide leader of the food delivery industry. For more information, visit www.foodpanda.ph.

How it works:

Through the foodpanda website or via the new iOS and Android apps, customers can enter their address and view a curated list of restaurants and shops serving their neighborhood. Once they have found their choice, they can place an order in the comfort of their home or office, paying online through foodpanda’s secure platform or via cash-on-delivery The order is then carefully prepared by the restaurant or shop, picked up by the foodpanda rider and delivered straight to their doorstep.

Follow us on:

Facebook: foodpandaphilippines

Twitter: foodpanda_ph

Instagram: foodpanda_ph

NEW PRODUCT ALERT: Cherry Wellness Smart Neck Wrap and Smart Knee Wrap

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CHERRY WELLNESS INTROS TWO PRODUCTS FOR MUSCLE RELIEF

Cherry Wellness continues to expand, introducing not just one but two products, the Cherry Wellness Smart Neck Wrap and Cherry Wellness Smart Knee Wrap.

The Cherry Wellness Smart Neck Wrap, with its Planar Heating element, helps alleviate pain and tension on the neck area by improving blood flow. This relieves stress and the feeling of soreness especially after a day of labor-extensive tasks or just working for long hours in front of the computer. You can also alternatively use this for plain relaxation while lounging around the house. It evenly heats up to 75°C so everything that the pad covers is properly targeted.

Meanwhile, the Cherry Wellness Smart Knee Wrap is best for athletes and those who frequently hit the gym. It is ideally used after strenuous activities for comfort. It soothes knee pain and addresses stiffness in the joints through heat therapy.

Both built for comfort and muscle relief, these innovations make use of Far-Infrared Radiation which penetrates the skin and in effect improves blood circulation. These provide relaxation by applying gentle pressure through low voltage to high heat without burning the skin, being outfitted with a Graphene Heating Film, a thick material used to keep the skin from burning.

Get the Cherry Wellness Smart Neck Wrap for P2,175 while the Cherry Wellness Smart Knee Wrap intros at P2,995. 

For more information, visit:

Cherry Shop PH: www.cherryshop.com.ph

Get Back on Track After Flu and Other Ailments

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Phenylephrine HCl Chlorphenamine Maleate Paracetamol (BIOFLU) is available in drugstores nationwide and via major e-commerce platforms

Flu is definitely bad news, especially when you have to worry about the ongoing pandemic along with it. There is always the possibility that the symptoms you are feeling could be signs of COVID-19.

This only means one thing: When you are experiencing flu symptoms, you need to address them right away with the right steps and the right medication, so you can get back on track.

The flu is a contagious infection caused by the influenza virus. It is usually accompanied by a cough or cold, and its symptoms could last from two to three days to about a week. These symptoms include clogged nose, sneezing, runny nose, headaches and body aches, fever. Having the flu can leave you feeling tired and restless the whole day, if not for several days. When you have the flu, it’s likely that you will need a bed to alleviate its symptoms.

Leaving your flu untreated could lead to more severe symptoms and a longer recovery time from the illness.

To recover from the flu immediately, you will need to stay home and rest until your symptoms are better. This also prevents you from spreading it; it is important to stay away from children and the elderly as they are more susceptible to the flu’s more severe symptoms.

Constant hydration is also the key to recovering from the flu. You will also need to eat healthy foods during your bout with the illness, even if you have no appetite for it because of your condition.

Taking the right medication to treat your flu can also fast-track your way to recovery—like Phenylephrine HCl Chlorphenamine Maleate Paracetamol (BIOFLU), a multi-benefit solution to flu symptoms.

Unlike other medications that deal with only one or two symptoms brought about by the flu, Phenylephrine HCl Chlorphenamine Maleate Paracetamol (BIOFLU) can address several flu-related ailments at once. It helps relieve clogged noses, sneezing, and runny nose and treats headaches, body aches, and fever. It is also formulated to relieve symptoms of other related ailments such as sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. This makes the product a valuable multi-purpose medication for every Filipino household.

Phenylephrine HCl Chlorphenamine Maleate Paracetamol (BIOFLU) can also be taken to relieve side effects brought about by the COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots. Common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine include fever, cough, tiredness, headache, body aches and pains—symptoms that the medicine is meant to treat.

At PHP7.50 SRP per tablet, it is also one of the most affordable multi-purpose flu solutions in the market today.

It’s always good to keep medications at home so you can easily bounce back from the symptoms of flu and return to your healthy, lively, productive self.

Pfizer Philippines Foundation and ASSIST partner to promote breast self-examination

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Keeping with its commitment to promote and enhance public health among local Filipino communities across the country, Pfizer Philippines Foundation, Inc. (PPFI) has partnered with Manila-based international non-governmental organization (INGO) Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) for a program called Likayan to raise awareness on breast self-examination (BSE) techniques for early detection of breast cancer.

As part of the partnership, PPFI and ASSIST have begun administering healthcare and educational services to underserved women in the town of Balayan, Batangas. Their efforts mainly involve the teaching of breast self-examination techniques. They are also capacitating and empowering community leaders comprised of teachers, youth leaders, midwives, and healthcare workers, as well as training a network of Community Champions to become Master Trainers and further spread awareness of BSE.

ASSIST and Pfizer Philippines Foundation have partnered for healthcare and educational services for underserved women in the town of Balayan, Batangas. Photo shows the ASSIST team with Councilor Carlos Ermita-Alvarez (4th from right) during the site visit to Balayan, Batangas.

The need for the education and promotion of the practice of BSE, as well as general awareness of breast cancer, follows various findings regarding the illness in the Philippines. Data from the Global Cancer Observatory shows that breast cancer ranks #1 in the Philippines in terms of incidence, with more than 27,000 new cases in 2020.

“BSE is a very important first step in early detection and cure. With early detection, you can stop it right away, and simply do preventative or curative treatment and avoid the suffering,” said ASSIST Executive Director of Projects and Strategy Francis Macatulad.

“We are truly glad to be working with such a proactive and caring organization in ASSIST to help save Filipino lives from the threat of breast cancer. We look forward to more things we can achieve through this partnership, as this is only the beginning of a fruitful endeavor,” said PPFI Executive Director Geof Garcia.

"I want to thank PPFI and ASSIST for this amazing project that will train women and our Barangay Health Workers and help our community in Batangas to be more aware of breast cancer,” said Carlos Ermita Alvarez, Balayan councilor. “We all know that early detection is key. These types of trainings are not really taught at the barangay level so I believe this will be a first in our community. This will definitely help women become more aware and pass the knowledge along to their friends, co-workers, and neighbors. We hope this project can train as many women and BHWs to help prevent breast cancer."

Other efforts and initiatives set out in the partnership include the use of the patient navigation program to promote and safeguard the general health of women from rural and urban poor areas, ultimately aiming to establish a wide network that will help Filipinos and engage stakeholders from the government and private sector to create a sustainable long-term impact.

ASSIST was established in 2003 with the aim of addressing social problems and sustainability challenges in the Asian region. It has evolved today into a self-sustaining international non-profit organization driven by a passion for purpose and progress in the region. The organization embodies the values of professional outlook and social responsibility and seeks to empower target groups and make them resilient to social, economic, and environmental challenges through adopting a process-oriented approach to capacity building.

Pfizer Philippines Foundation, Inc. is a non-stock, non-profit corporation organized to perform charitable and social welfare activities and programs geared towards improving health capacities, education, and awareness. Founded in 1997, PPFI seeks to serve Filipino communities to improve health outcomes for a stronger nation of healthier citizens.

Through collaborations with NGOs and civic welfare groups, the government and its relevant agencies, as well as through the engagement of Pfizer colleagues as volunteers, PPFI aims to innovate, implement, and sustain equity-based programs that will significantly improve Filipinos’ healthcare access.

In celebration of its 1st anniversary: HealthNow gives back to Filipinos with “HealthDay” free doctor’s consultation and medicine deliveries

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HealthNow is giving free video teleconsultations and medicine deliveries for registered users in line with its first anniversary.

Dubbed “HealthDay” set on August 20, HealthNow members can enjoy free “Consult Now” sessions with general practitioners, as well as free “Consult Later” bookings with specialists of high-demand medical fields. These include Pediatrics, OB-GYN, Dermatology, and many more.

In addition, users can enjoy free shipping and free Vitamin C on all medicine delivery orders!

HealthNow CEO Susana Beatriz Latay shared her excitement to be celebrating this milestone with their customers.

“As we continue to adapt to the ever-changing landscapes brought on by the global pandemic, we understand that consumers are looking for better ways to access their essentials, and health is certainly among their top considerations today. As we celebrate our first year, we recognize that we could not have gotten this far without our customers. That is why we also wanted this chance to give back for their support and patronage through the HealthDay promo,” said Latay.

HealthNow, a product of the collaboration between Globe’s 917Ventures and AC Health, is a mobile app that delivers a hassle-free experience in helping patients receive the medical help they need from the comfort of their homes.

With several cities across the country placed in quarantine, users can still enjoy the convenience and flexibility through HealthNow, as they are given the option of consulting a doctor anytime, anywhere via video, getting an e-prescription, and buying their pharmacy needs for same-day delivery.

Soon, they can easily book home service appointments for diagnostic tests and have their lab results interpreted online.

HealthNow is available in Google Play for Android and the App Store for iOS. Anyone can register using their mobile phone number, email address, or even their Facebook account. To know more about HealthNow, visit their website.

The Globe Group strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 on good health and well-being. Globe is committed to upholding the United Nations Global Compact principles and contributing to 10 UN SDGs.

Diabetes: a deadly but controllable disease

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As the COVID pandemic persists, another disease remains under the radar as one of the Philippines’ leading causes of death - diabetes.

Diabetes, a serious and chronic metabolic disease characterized by an increase in blood sugar levels, is one of the major causes of death in the Philippines. Based on recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (2021), diabetes has claimed 37,265 lives last year (2020) despite the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.

“Diabetes is a deadly disease, but it can oftentimes be taken for granted,” said Dr. Aurora Macaballug, Board Member and Chair of the Advocacy Committee of the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEDM). “What not a lot of people know is it can be controlled and managed as long as patients stick to the treatments prescribed by their doctors.”

MSD in the Philippines, Mercury Drug Corporation (MDC), Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEDM), and Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators (PADE) recently hosted “Mga Ano at Bakit ng Diabetes”, a press briefing aimed to raise awareness about diabetes and advocate for greater medication adherence to improve patient outcomes among Filipinos with diabetes, as part of MSD’s Kontrolado Ko, Diabetes Ko (KKDK) campaign.

Apat Dapat, Education, and Accessibility - Key to Diabetes Management

According to Dr. Macaballug, four elements have to be met to successfully manage diabetes. Dubbed as Apat Dapat, patients can take control of their condition through (1) exercise, (2) proper diet, (3) regular intake of diabetes medication/insulin, and (4) regular consultations with a physician.

Adherence, which means taking prescribed medication with the right dose and frequency, is one of the 4 pillars of PSEDM’s advocacy to managing diabetes. And while the patient is largely responsible in adhering to Apat Dapat, healthcare providers recognize the need for more proactive support.

“Managing one’s diabetes is not easy. That’s why we try to help people cope with the illness through more proactive support, beginning with education,” said diabetes nurse educator and PADE President Leyden Florido. “The more they know about their disease, the better they’re equipped to cope and manage it.”

Pharmacists have also expanded their support for diabetes patients during the pandemic, as they have become one of the more accessible healthcare professionals in the community. “We can help patients understand the dangers of chronic diseases like diabetes and the importance of prevention and adherence,” said Mercury Drug representative and pharmacist Nellie Calipjo. “Patient adherence requires a lifestyle change and will be better accepted if access to medicine, counseling, and other care items are readily available. This is the inspiration behind our Get Well Diabetes Care Hub, a one-stop-shop section in select Mercury Drug stores dedicated to the needs of patients with diabetes,” she added.

In the end, the best outcomes for people with diabetes will depend on the changes they make to their lifestyles to follow prescribed treatments.

Through the Kontrolado Ko, Diabetes Ko campaign, MSD continues to collaborate with medical societies and the health care industry to remind Filipinos about the importance of making impactful changes to one’s lifestyle to manage diabetes and promote better health outcomes.

Kontrolado Ko Diabetes Ko is a campaign led by MSD Philippines that seeks to promote medication adherence among patients with diabetes in the Philippines. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness among patients about the importance of making impactful changes to one’s lifestyle to manage diabetes, and that taking medication as prescribed is a vital first step toward better health outcomes.

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)

The Angels Initiative: Building a Network of Stroke-Ready Hospitals

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Initiative stresses need for more hospitals in the Philippines to be equipped for stroke

In light of the upcoming World Stroke Day on October 29, the Angels Initiative, a healthcare program that aims to improve hospital care for people who just suffered a stroke, recently hosted a roundtable for the media called, “Angels Initiative: Improving Stroke Care in Asia,” at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

The Angels Initiative is composed of dedicated consultants who provide doctors, nurses and ambulance crews with the training and support they need to create and improve the treatment pathways and processes around stroke care. The Angels consultants run assessments together with the hospitals; compare existing processes with guidelines; provide training and ongoing support for the hospital staff as well as process- and quality-monitoring.

The media roundtable was held in conjunction with the Asia Pacific Stroke Conference (APSC) in Manila on October 2-5, 2019. The APSC focused on highlighting the burden of stroke, globally and locally in the Philippines. The event also featured global and regional key opinion leaders, which includes spokespersons from APSC, Angels Initiative and the World Stroke Organization (WSO). There was also recognition of new hospitals in Southeast Asia & South Korea (SEASK) who received their first WSO Angels Awards at the event.

Stroke: A Common killer

When does stroke exactly happen? A stroke, or "brain attack," occurs when blood circulation to the brain fails. Brain cells can die from decreased blood flow and the resulting lack of oxygen. There are two broad categories of stroke: those caused by a blockage of blood flow and those caused by bleeding into the brain. A blockage of a blood vessel in the brain or neck, called an ischemic stroke, is the most frequent cause of stroke and is responsible for about 80 percent of strokes. 

People age 55 or older have a higher risk of stroke than younger people do. Men have a higher risk of stroke than women do. Women are usually older when they have strokes, and they're more likely to die of strokes than are men. “One third of 17 million people die from stroke after exhibiting its symptoms. Another third are left disabled permanently. It is alarming to note that two-thirds of stroke attacks in the world happen in Asia,” according to Prof. Dr. Jose Navarro, Chair of the Neurosonology Group of the Philippine Neurological Association and former President of the Stroke Society of the Philippines. “In the Philippines, stroke is the second leading cause of death” 

It is also crucial to note that stroke is such a time-sensitive disease that for every minute it is left untreated, up to two million-brain cells die. 

“There are more chances that an outcome will be most favorable when a stroke patient receives care 60 minutes upon arrival at the hospital,” explained Prof. Dr. Michael Brainin, President of the World Stroke Organization. “These patients are more likely to become independent and have a higher possibility of going back home after surviving the disease.”

Making hospitals stroke-ready

This is what the Angels Initiative addresses. For the initiative, treating patients as soon as possible, following the best standards of care in dedicated stroke centers, is important so that they can have better chances of survival and living disability-free lives. The initiative provides hospitals with the resources and the support they need as well as the needed training for their doctors and staff so that they can be truly stroke-ready.

Every country that the Angels Initiative is present in has an “Angels Consultants Team” that supports hospitals in implementing stroke care improvement programs. A hospital or center will be considered stroke-ready when it has reached a standardization of processes, which will ensure that stroke treatment is given within 60 minutes of the patient arriving at the hospital.

About the Angels Initiative in the Philippines

The Angels Initiative was launched by Boehringer Ingelheim and endorsed by the European Stroke Organization (ESO) and the World Stroke Organization (WSO). It began in Europe with a team of stroke experts back in November 2014 and now in SEASK (Southeast Asia and South Korea).

An important aspect of the Angels Initiative is the collaboration with local medical organizations, such as the Stroke Society of the Philippines and the Philippine Neurological Association. 

Here in the Philippines, the initiative has made considerable progress since it began in 2017 with one Angels stroke consultant and 18 target hospitals in consultation. There are now 11 stroke-ready hospitals in the country with five fully-dedicated Angels consultants and 42 hospitals nationwide in active consultation.

Among the 42 hospitals in consultation, the National Capital Region has the most number with 25 hospitals, followed by Davao, with four hospitals. Cordillera Autonomous Region, Central Luzon, and Central Visayas are also some of the regions with hospitals that are part of the Angels network.

Thomas Fischer

According to Thomas Fischer, Boehringer Ingelheim Global Project Lead of the Angels Initiative, in 2018, 265 more Filipino patients were treated for stroke, which accounts to 11 percent more Filipino patients having a second chance at life.

“There are currently 98 Philippine hospitals registered in the Angels Initiative website,” added Fischer. “This is a huge jump from the 32 registrants in 2018.”

During the APSC, Baguio General Hospital and Makati Medical Center received the Q2 2019 WSO Gold Award. The WSO Angels Awards are designed to acknowledge and honor teams and individuals committed to quality improvement in stroke practice and to establish a culture of continued monitoring.

For hospitals that are interested in finding out more about the Angels Initiative and how they can be properly equipped to become stroke-ready, they can schedule a consultation with the Angels Team by registering through the official website:
www.angels-initiative.com

More About the Angels Initiative

Suffering a stroke is one of the most devastating medical emergencies that can happen to a person. Fifteen million people worldwide suffer a stroke every year; one-third of these people die as a consequence; another third is left permanently disabled. Guidelines recommend that patients who have had a stroke are treated in a specialized stroke unit by a dedicated team. In turn, treatment should be initiated as quickly as possible after onset of symptoms, but this does not always happen.

A dedicated team of Angels consultants provide doctors, nurses and ambulance crews with the training and support they need to create and improve the treatment pathways and processes around stroke care. The Angels consultants run assessments together with the hospitals; compare existing processes with guidelines; provide training and ongoing support for the hospital staff as well as process- and quality-monitoring. Examples of these measures include checklists, which help to standardize processes and to limit unnecessary delays. In addition, the Angels Initiative offers educational tools and programs – digital as well as analogue, support for pre- and in-hospital process optimization and a community platform for peer-to-peer exchange and access to the world’s leading stroke specialists.

For further information on the Angels Initiative, visit: https://www.angels-initiative.com

Prevent the spread of measles virus in your household

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Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Gargle and Throat Spray effectively kill viruses

Many people are growing concerned because of the increasing number of individuals stricken with measles or tigdas across the country. The Department of Health (DOH) has raised the red flag and has declared an outbreak in five regions — Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas[2].

In these five regions alone, almost 1,400 confirmed cases of measles have been listed as of last February 7, of this number, 22 have been confirmed by the DOH to have died because of the disease. Several other regions are now also being monitored because of an increase in the number of measles cases reported there. These regions are MIMAROPA, Ilocos, Northern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, and Soccksargen[3]and the DOH is asking them to step up their response to the disease.

Some of the most susceptible to the disease are unvaccinated young children, according to the World Health Organization[4]. But, anybody can be infected including pregnant women, teenagers, and even adults. In fact, DOH data from 2016 shows that young adults aged 16-20 are the second largest group infected by measles[5].

Measles is regarded as a highly contagious and infectious condition. It can be transmitted by coughing or sneezing or through direct contact with anyone infected with it. Symptoms include high fever that lasts four to seven days, runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and white spots that develop inside the cheeks. After a few days, rashes appear and then it spreads all over the body[6].

Children aged five years old or younger and adults 21 and above are especially vulnerable to complications caused by measles. Some of the common complications are ear infections and diarrhea, while severe complications include pneumonia and encephalitis[7], the latter two might even lead to death.

Right now, the most effective tool against measles is prevention through immunization, especially in young children. Help stop the spread of measles virus through proper oral, hand, and body hygiene plus Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Throat and Mouth Care solutions that are proven to effectively kill the measles virus. In a laboratory test conducted by Japanese doctors in 1997, they have proven that Povidone-Iodine is able to kill many viruses, including the measles virus, in a relatively short span of time[8].

One of the leading and most trusted antiseptic brands of Povidone-Iodine in the country is BETADINE®8,9,10, which also has a whole line of upper respiratory care products proven safe and effective for use inside and outside our homes.

The first product in the line is Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Gargle, which has been proven to kill various types of viruses in as early as 15 seconds7. Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Gargle is perfect for use at home and is effective in addressing not just viruses but also bacteria and fungi11,12.

When outside the house, Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Throat Spray is a good choice. Like Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Gargle, it is also capable of killing viruses in as early as 15 seconds7. It also kills bacteria and fungi11, 12.

To know more about Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Gargle and Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Throat Spray, see the product information label and visit http://ph.betadine.com/en/ph/throat-and-oral-care. For patients with measles or any of its symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately.

Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Gargle and Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Throat Spray are available in drugstores and supermarkets nationwide. 

Also in Lazada (https://www.lazada.com.ph/watsons-official-store/?langFlag=en&q=betadine&from=wangpu&pageTypeId=2) and Shopee (https://shopee.ph/BETADINE%C2%AE-Gargle-(Blue)-500-i.104517503.1909709188).

Pru Life UK employees, agents support Red Cross blood drive

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Pru Life UK employee undergoing physical assessment with a Philippine Red Cross medical officer 

In its third year of partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, Pru Life UK recently conducted a blood donation drive among its employees and agents in line with its commitment to contribute to disaster preparedness and recovery.

The collected bags were donated to the National Blood Bank, which seeks to ensure a sufficient supply of safe blood needed for Red Cross' disaster and emergency response operations.

Held twice a year annually since 2016, the participation of Pru Life UK employees in the blood donation drive takes root from the Company’s initiative to promote the spirit of volunteerism within the organization through its employee-volunteer program, PRU It Forward. This is also the first year that a blood donation drive was organized by PRU It Forward for the agency force.

Other local business units of Prudential Corporation Asia, the regional headquarters of Pru Life UK, also recently organized a series of blood donation where a record-breaking number of nearly 1,700 bags of blood donation were collected in Hong Kong and 150 bags in Thailand.

Pru Life UK has been supporting various community engagement initiatives across the country since its establishment in the Philippines. In 1996, the Insurance Commission granted the British subsidiary the license to operate and sell life insurance products in the country. Since then, Pru Life UK has expanded its reach to over 130 branches in the Philippines, with the biggest life agency force of more than 20,000 licensed agents and has emerged as one of the top five life insurers. Pru Life UK holds headquarters in Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City.

About Pru Life UK

Established in 1996, Pru Life UK is a subsidiary of Prudential plc. Pru Life UK is a life insurance company and is not engaged in the business of selling pre-need plans. Prudential plc is a United Kingdom-registered company. Its regional headquarters, Prudential Corporation Asia, is based in Hong Kong. Pru Life UK and Prudential plc are not affiliated with Prudential Financial, Inc. (a US-registered company), Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company, Prudentialife Plans, Inc. or Prudential Guarantee and Assurance, Inc. (all Philippine-registered companies).

 For more information: prulifeuk.com.ph