Lalanhan
Among the Ati in Guimaras, the bottles containing woods, seeds, and medicinal plant parts infused in coconut oil are decorated with mineral stones and crucifixes to symbolize well-being. These are used as multi-purpose healing oil.
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A Vaccine for Manila
Smallpox is one of the most deadly diseases in history, and most people who got sick with it usually die. A vaccine was finally invented in 1796 by Edward Jenner, and in 1803, the King Charles IV of Spain sent an expedition to Manila with the project of vaccinating as many people as possible in the city. Refrigerators were not yet invented during those days, so the vaccine was carried by children.
In our modern world, antibiotics are important for treating diseases caused by bacteria, but Smallpox is not caused by bacteria; it is caused by viruses. As such, vaccines are very important because they prevent people from getting viruses. What vaccines did you get when you were little?
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Diseases in Manila
An epidemic is a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time. In the history of Manila, one of the most deadly was the diseases known as Smallpox and Cholera. Smallpox is caused by viruses, while cholera is caused by bacteria from dirty water.
Sanitation and vaccination are very important in preventing disease. However, during the Spanish colonial era, this was not yet understood, and vaccines were not yet invented. As a result, many people died.
We are very lucky to live in our modern world where clean drinking water is available in our fridges, and vaccines are easy to get for kids. When did you last drink a glass of water? To be healthy, make sure to drink clean water regularly!
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This Diabetes Awareness Week let us take a look at the food that does not taste like diabetes:
VEGETABLES
-nonstarchy: includes broccoli, carrots, greens, peppers, and tomatoes
-starchy: includes potatoes, corn, green peas
FRUITS
-includes oranges, melon, berries, apples, bananas, and grapes
GRAINS
-includes wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, quinoa
-should compose half of your grains for the day
PROTEIN
-includes lean meat, chicken or turkey without the skin, fish, eggs, nuts, and peanuts, dried beans, and certain peas, such as chickpeas and split peas
-also includes meat substitutes, such as tofu
DAIRY (nonfat or low fat)
-includes yogurt, cheese, and milk or lactose-free milk for those who have lactose intolerance
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Sarcoma Cancer Awareness Month
Although relatively rare, Sarcomas are deadly, especially soft tissue sarcomas. The primary reason for this is the delayed diagnosis and advanced disease, or metastasis, at presentation.
Early-stage sarcomas lack distinct symptoms that would potentially allow for early diagnosis. In addition to being a deadly disease, sarcomas also occur more frequently in young adults and adolescents than other cancers.
Thus, despite lower incidence rates, the years of life lost can often be substantial.
Source: National Cancer Institute
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Philippine Medicine Day (Proclamation No. 407, s. 1953)
September 15 is Philippine Medicine Day.
Philippine Medicine Day was established to remind our countrymen of the importance of treatment and the duty of the government to keep Filipinos safe.
Itinatag ang pagdiriwang na ito upang ipaalala sa ating mga kababayan ang kahalagahan ng paggagamot at ang tungkulin ng pamahalaan na mapanatiling ligtas ang mga Pilipino.
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Ginhawa inventor to receive visionary award for medical research.
The National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) will confer the 2021 Geminiano De Ocampo Visionary Award for Medical Research (GTOVAMR) to Dr. Camilo C. Roa, a retired professor who invented the low-cost, high-quality portable ventilator for COVID-19.
Dr. Roa, together with Dr. Abundio Balgos, his protégé at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, received funding support from the government to develop Ginhawa (Reliefvent), which is 40% cheaper than the ones available commercially.
Dr. Roa hopes to finish three variations of Ginhawa 2 (a redesigned prototype) for numerous patients with respiratory failure, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also invented the respiratory pig lung model made from locally sourced materials like the transparent chest cavity model made of plexiglass, complete with a “breathing” lung (freshly harvested porcine lung), and colored water glass manometers to monitor the pleural pressures.
In honor of National Scientist Geminiano T. De Ocampo, the GTOVAMR aims to recognize clinician-researchers who have made significant contributions to medical research and clinical practice that have significantly impacted Filipinos lives.
Dr. De Ocampo was a visionary acknowledged as the Father of Modern Ophthalmology.
He was the first Filipino to perform the first successful corneal transplantation and design a corneal dissector in 1956.
He established in 1965 the first eye hospital and research institution for basic ophthalmology, now known as the Philippine Eye Research Institute.
Source: https://piagov.wordpress.com/2021/09/14/ginhawa-inventor-to-receive-visionary-award-for-medical-research-%ef%bf%bc/
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Oldest Filipino to get vaccinated with AstraZeneca?
Tomasa V. Amurao, 101 years old, fondly called “Nanay Po” from Barangay Talon Dos is the oldest Las Piñas resident to get a shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine on April 1, 2021.
Dr. Benjamir Cabrera, Nanay Po’s grandson, says her grandmother has a medical clearance to get vaccinated.
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Definition of tiered close contacts for suspected and COVID-19 positive individuals
Know the different definitions of tiered close contacts for suspected and COVID-19 positive individuals.
Let’s stay vigilant and practice PHYSICAL DISTANCING because the farther, the better.
High-Risk Close Contacts
Moderate Risk Close Contacts
Low-Risk Close Contacts
Non-Close Contact
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Lakad-bulan (Sambong “Blumea balsamifera”)
Bicolanos have their own version of moonwalk that is neither space walking nor dancing. Rather it comes in the form of a medicinal plant, whose local name lakad-bulan literally translates to walking on the moon.
Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) of plant Family Asteraceae is native to the Philippines. Locally called lakad-bulan, the B. balsamifera is a popular herbal plant used in treating kidney problems, lumbago, rheumatism, wounds, diarrhea, colds, and coughs. It grows to a height of 1-3 meters from low to medium elevation, in open grasslands and thickets. Its aromatic leaves are wide ovoid or oblong-lanceolate, simple, and alternate while its flower is yellow.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of the population in developing countries rely on herbs in treating various diseases and as part of their primary health care needs. The Philippines in particular, through the Department of Health (DOH) has released a list of 10 scientifically validated Philippine medicinal plants. This includes akapulco, ampalaya, bawang, bayabas,lagundi, niyug-niyugan, tsaang gubat, ulasimang bato, yerba buena and sambong.
In the Philippines, the leaves of lakad-bulan are usually boiled and taken as tea. They are rich in chemical compounds and nutrients and are used to treat various afflictions of the body like wounds and stomach pain. It has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is also made into a poultice to relieve arthritis, colds, and cough.
Lakad-bulan is also taken as a tea to help maintain a healthy urinary tract. It is popular among people with kidney problems because of its diuretic properties. It also helps flush uric acid. Interestingly, the Philippine National Kidney and Transplant Institute recommends lakad-bulan for patients with renal problems.
The National Museum continues to promote the study of indigenous plant remedies to preserve our folk tradition and enjoy the benefits of natural medicine.
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The Philippines received its first COVID-19 vaccine (CORONAVAC) shipment from China today, February 28, 2021.
You may ask!
What is the effectiveness rate of the CORONAVAC Vaccine?
The clinical trial data show that the vaccine is
Source: @PIADesk via Philippine Department of Health (DOH)
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Philhealth Benefit package for COVID-19
Starting April 15, 2020, the new Philhealth packages for CoViD-19 will be effective.
Testing Package
Php 901-3,409 conducted in RITM-DOH Certified Laboratories.
Community Isolation Package
Php 22,449 Based on Philhealth Circular 2020-0018.
Pneumonia Package
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Tuklas Lunas
Drug discovery and development is a key priority to treat COVID-19. As the journey towards developing a COVID-19 cure progresses, let us show our support and gratitude to all our researchers this Philippine Medicine Day.
Did You Know?
“Tuklas Lunas” is a program of the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, which aims to produce reliable and affordable medicines sourced from the country’s very own biodiversity.
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A visual guide in Filipino on how are vaccines produced. A vaccine needs to be both SAFE and EFFECTIVE for it to be approved for public use. (Carlo Trinidad | @hellokidneyMD)
Sources:
Center for Disease Control https://bit.ly/2DIXg8h
Milken Institute of Public Health https://bit.ly/340Suxl
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Plasma Donation Philippines
The Philippine Red Cross is accepting plasma donations from COVID19 survivors. The Philippine Red Cross convalescent plasma center is located at the PRC-NHQ Port Area in Manila.
Convalescent plasma is a plasma taken from a person who has recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection and contains neutralizing antibodies against the said infection.
Giving convalescent plasma collected from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 to infected patients is a form of passive antibody therapy, which could offer a possible therapeutic strategy.
Who are eligible to donate?
1. Those who passed the standard DOH prescribed donor history questionnaires, where applicable with an age range of 18 to 65 years old.
2. Recovered from COVID-19.
Please contact the Philippine Red Cross:
PRC Convalescent Plasma Center, Bonifacio Drive Port Area, Manila
Hotline:
0917-582-0499
0915-399-7718
Look for:
Ms. Lalaine Ilagan – Head, Apheresis and CP Donation, National Blood Center, Port Area Manila.
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RA 10932 Anti Hospital Deposit Law (2017)
An act stengthening the Anti-Hospital Deposit law by increasing the penalties for the refusal of Philippine hospitals and medical clinics to administer appropriate initial medical treatment and support in emergency or serious cases.
“It shall be unlawful for any hospital or medical clinic to request or solicit any form of advance payment as a prerequisite for administering basic emergency care to any patient.”
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Frequently asked questions about tuob/Steam Inhalation Therapy
How come I’ve heard stories of COVID + patients who were healed by doing Tuob/Steam Inhalation?
Of the 44,672 coronavirus cases that were confirmed in China by February 11, more than 36,000 or 81 percent were mild.
For many mild infections, the coronavirus could be virtually indistinguishable from the common cold or seasonal flu, said Dr. Jin of the University of Hongkong. Additionally, “Some of these patients, they just go unrecognized,” he said.”It could be just as small as a sore throat. Then one day, two days, it’s gone.”
So likely those cases were mild and would have recovered anyway, even without Tuob.
If I feel a bit sick – fever, cough, tightness in the chest – can I just stay home and do tuob/Steam Inhalation?
No. It is strongly advised that you seek medical attention, and be swabbed/tested for COVID. If indeed you have COVID, then you can properly isolate yourself and also tell your close contacts to quarantine themselves to help prevent the spread to others.
Even if the COVID you may get is mild, it is still highly contagious and can spread to others. If it spreads to the person who is older or very young, and those with pre-existing conditions, it could potentially be a more severe case for them and can cause their death.
Are Doctors against Tuob/Steam inhalation?
Not necessarily. Doctors understand that behaviourally people need to feel like they should be doing something for their health especially in this pandemic. Although Tuob/Steam Inhalation makes people feel that they can breathe lighter/better but people need to understand that Tuob should not be considered as a preventive therapy or treatment. It is our moral societal responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID. If people are undiagnosed and infectious, they tend to spread the virus to more people and this war against COVID will never end it. Also, it puts the vulnerable population (people above 60 years old, children and those with pre-existing conditions) at very high risk. So Tuob should, at best, only be a complementary therapy, not a cure.
Prepared by: Dr. Elisse Catalan, RN MD. MPH, MSc HCm
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What is tuob or steam inhalation therapy?
Tuob is an age-old technique where people cover their heads with a tower over a pan filled with hot water. Inhaling hot steam for several minutes.
Fact:
Moisturises dry, irritated nasal and throat passages making them more comfortable.
Myths:
It is not a cure for COVID.
It can not kill the CORONAVIRUS.
It is not a prevention for COVID.
Note:
Heat at 56 C kills the SARS coronavirus at around 10000 units per 15 min (WHO 2020).
There no way for hot steam to reach the whole respiratory epithelium at a sustained and constant level of heat. The moisture only reaches the upper airways, like the nose and throat, but not the bronchi and lungs. Hot steam can not kill SARS-COV2. Also, our cells can not tolerate heat above 41 C, beyond that it will cause cellular damage.
Danger of Tuob / Adverse Effect:
Burns!
The British Journal of General Practice published a study stating that the number one adverse effect of steam inhalation therapy is burns. Most victims were children and they needed skin grafting often than adults.
In extreme heat. steam inhalation therapy can injure/burn your upper airways. Also, spills of the hot/boiling water can cause scalding injuries.
If you or your loved ones are experiencing the following symptoms:
Please seek medical help immediately.
Effective ways to prevent COVID:
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As we get older, our bodies have different needs, so certain nutrients become more important for good health.
Here are some examples of nutrient needs:
1. Calcium and Vitamin D
2. Vitamin B12 (Cobalkamin)
3. Fiber
4. Potassium
5. Fats
Source: @psc_gov via
Karen Leslie L. Pineda, MSPH, RND
Mary Jane M. Serapion, RND, MSND (Cand.)
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PGH HICU Alert – released May 30, 2020.
There has been a sudden surged of COVID infections from results in the last 2 days: 19 HCWs are now COVID (+). Most experienced very mild symptoms. Except for one with a lingering cough, all 18 were asymptomatic at the time they received their test results. Four never had symptoms.
Some infections were traced to:
1. Eating close together
2. Relaxing in lounge/common areas without a mask
3. Frequent touching of N95 or surgical masks while on face
4. Adjusting or removing mask inside COVID ward even for few seconds only
5. Keeping masks on even if drenched with perspiration
6. Wrong technique in removing N95 mask
7. Touching the face with dirty gloves/hands
8. Forgetting to clean hands
9. Dirty outer gloves not changed
10.Bringing cellphone inside the COVID areas
First 2 were found to be the most common
Source: @teddyboylocsin via PGH
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