Category Archives: Advocacy

How To Give More of Yourself

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At this time of year, the holiday spirit sparks a desire to do more for those in need. The truth is, giving to others is something that’s greatly needed throughout the entire year. If you feel inspired to give back, but don’t know how, here are four ways you can give more of yourself starting today.

Diverse Group of People Pick Up Trash in The Park Volunteer Community Service; Photo credit: kindnesscloud.org

Volunteer Your Time

Many people have felt the call to volunteer at one time or another. If this describes you, act on it! Giving of your time is one of the most selfless things you can do, whether it’s with an organization, or a person that’s lonely and could use some company. Pick a cause that speaks to you and find out how you can help.

Put Kindness Into Action

Kindness is something that can be practiced every day and it sets a good example to “pay it forward”. If you have some of your own ideas for promoting acts of kindness, join others that share your vision and start down a path of making the world a better place.

Run Errands for Someone

If you know someone that isn’t able to get out, offer to run errands. This could mean going to the supermarket, the bank or getting them to medical appointments. Offer to drive and take them to lunch. What seems like something routine to you would mean the world to them.

Smile and Compliment

Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for someone is offer a smile and a compliment. Everyone appreciates being told they look terrific or that they’ve done a great job. Offering encouragement with a smile can change someone’s entire day.

Inspire Others

People have many different reasons for wanting to spread kindness. When you give more of yourself, not only are you helping someone, but it makes you feel good, too. You’ll also inspire others in your circle to do the same. 

STATEMENT ON THE SIGNING OF THE PHILIPPINE HIV/AIDS ACT

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Secretary of Health Francisco T. Duque III released the following statement today (January 10, 2019) on the signing of the Philippine HIV and Aids Act by President Rodrigo Duterte:

Editorial Cartoon by NVTorrecampo

“The signing of the Philippine HIV and Aids Act is a huge step forward in responding to the growing HIV epidemic in the Philippines.

Ngayon ay mabibigyan na natin ng tamang suporta ang mga Pilipinong may HIV-AIDS. Kaya naman lubos ang aming pasasalamat kay Presidente Duterte sa pagbibigay niya ng prayoridad at aksyon laban sa HIV-AIDS.

The law provides:

  • Comprehensive education and prevention programs for PLHIV and their families.
  • It also enables minors 15 years of age to get tested for HIV.

While the new law has been enacted, our next step is to be able to properly execute the law by developing an Implementing Rules and Regulations to guide executive officials in implementing the law, as well as the public in how to comply with the law.

A stronger collaboration is key to attaining our vision of an HIV-free country. The road ahead will be long and our climb will be steep, but we will thrive and win against HIV and AIDS.”

Recent cases as of Nov. 2018

Press Release

Childhood Immunization Schedule 2017

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Editorial cartoon credit: People’s Tonight Feb. 18, 2018 (NTorrecampo)

Stakeholders have yet to resolve the dengvaxia controversy, and while the government is working on it, health authorities assuage public fear by promoting other vaccines that have been proven effective to prevent childhood diseases such as tuberculosis and measles.

Sharing from Dr. Ethel Pineda’s Facebook Page:

Poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles. These diseases which can cause deaths and severe permanent physical impairment among children are easily preventable by immunization.

The Philippines is now polio-free.
The deaths from measles have diminished by more than 80% since 1990.
Pertussis ( whooping cough) by 61.7%.
Diphtheria by 57%
Tetanus by 69.6%
Tuberculosis by 31.5%

This is largely because of the Expanded Program on Immunization that was established in 1976 to ensure that Filipino children and mothers have access to routinely recommended vaccines.

Diphtheria, tetanus and Pertussis (whooping cough vaccines have been around since the late 1950s.
The polio vaccine has been in commercial use since 1961.
Measles vaccine in 1963.
Mumps in 1967
Rubella (German measles) in 1969.

Add to that Hemophilus influenzae, hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), hepatitis A, pneumococcal vaccines which have been around for decades.

These vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective. There is no reason why the public should lose trust in this life-saving, and disability preventing undertaking by the government.

Go have your children (and yourselves) immunized. An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a ton of cure.

Text and Image credit to Dr. Ethel Pineda’s FB Page.