Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III went to Pikit, North Cotabato last September 15, 2008 to visit the Evacuation Center. On that day, Sec. Duque handed to North Cotabato Governor Sakdalan P1M from PCSO and package of drugs and medicines to augment resources for the evacuees. With Dr. Duque on that occasion were health Asst. Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean Ubial, and Dr. Arnel Rivera of DOH-Central Office. Later in the afternoon, a press conference was held in Davao City with Dr. Duque giving updates on the health status of Mindanao.
DAVAO REGION HEALTH SUMMIT HELD.The 2nd Regional Health Summit in Davao Region was held on August 14-15, 2008 at Royal Mandaya Hotel. It was a follow-up of last year’s provincial updates and commitments by the LGUs for the improvement of health services. Asst. Secretary of Health & Concurrent Reg’l Director Paulyn Jean Ubial stated in her message “the important contribution of the LGU in ensuring attainment of our health goals and objectives”. Thus, the Summit served as venue to align health priorities and give recognition and awards to LGU good practices. Media partners, ABS-CBN and GMA television stations, Mindanao Daily Mirror newspaper, Miss Anates Basilio of same newspaper, Philippine Information Agency-XI & Radyo ng Bayan were also given recogntion for their extra support given to health advocacy & promotion. Likewise, signing of commitment was done by the participants from the different provinces, cities, & municipalities in the region. The theme was: Health Sector Reforms, the Way Forward…Focus on Dengue Control.
MEDICINES SURVEILLANCE IMPLEMENTED.
Davao City is the pilot area for “Medicines Surveillance System Integrating Consumer Reporting” as it was introduced last year by BFAD-Manila. The formal announcement of the start of its implementation was done on August 21, 2008 during a press conference held at City Press. This kind of surveillance is an important aspect in improving the quality of medicines in the market, in the rational use of medicines, in monitoring adherence to standard treatment guidelines, and in consumer education. The surveillance project was strongly supported by the Davao City academe through Dean Adelina Royo, drugstore owners, Kunsumo Dabaw, Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs, and other stakeholders – thus, the selection of Davao City as the pilot area.
CHD-DR JOINED KADAYAWAN FLOAT
The DOH-Center for Health Development-Davao Region submitted an entry to the prestigious 23rd Kadayawan Floral Float parade last August 24, 2008. It was the first time the Office joined in such event with the aim of promoting dengue prevention and control. Its motif was a Barangay Health Station for the indigenous people (IP). The Kadayawan theme was “Musanay Lumadnong Kagikan, Yutang Kabilin Panalipdan”. Joining in the float during the actual parade was Asec Paulyn Ubial with an IP family. CHD-DR produced local mascots representing the 3 common mosquito-borne diseases afflicting the IPs. The dengue, malaria, & filaria mascots frightened some children spectators during the parade. It served to make the public be aware of the menace of these diseases. The floral float competition had 14 entries for the small category where the DOH float was categorized, and CHD-DR was awarded the 7th place, with a cash award of P10,000 and a plaque. It can be recalled that this Office also got 3rd place during the 2003 float competition of the Araw ng Dabaw celebration.
