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http://www.doh.gov.ph/press
DOH ASSERTS FAMILY PLANNING IS IMPORTANT AS COMPLIMENTARY STRATEGY TO CUT MATERNAL MORTALITY BY 2015

Press Release/16 July 2008

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III today reiterated that family planning in the context of women’s health is a priority of the Department of Health (DOH) as a complementary strategy to prevent maternal deaths and to curb the alleged "ballooning" population.

This statement came after several sectors raised criticisms on the “weak” national policy on family planning as part of the population management program of government.

Secretary Duque clarified that the DOH espouses the universally recognized human right to let every woman decide and take responsibility on her fertility and reproductive rights.

“The power of decision is accorded to every couple and every woman and not to anyone else --- this is not “political expediency” or “religious narrow-mindedness” but is in accordance with the state’s respect for individual beliefs and moral conscience,” he said.


http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1995
LET’S MAKE KIDS SAFER-DOH

Press Release/16 June 2008

The Department of Health (DOH) today called on all concerned agencies and potential allies to work together for a shared responsibility of reducing child injury and improving the health of schoolchildren.

As mandated under Presidential Proclamation No. 1307 declaring every 3rd week of June as ‘National Safe Kids Week’, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo enjoins all stakeholders to harmonize their efforts on child injury prevention.

This year’s theme, “INGAT BATA! Always Think of Child Safety: Safe Homes, Safe Schools, and Safe Community”, stresses on the creation of conditions conducive to injury prevention, which is the responsibility of all sectors. These sectors include public works and highways, transportation, health, education, industry, private sector, non-government organizations, families, schools, workplaces and communities.

According to Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, there were about 25 deaths due to injuries for every 100,000 children aged 18 years below. These injuries are vehicular accidents, falls, poisoning, violence and assaults, drowning and animal bites. Those who survived the injuries are faced with varying degrees of disability.

It should be noted that only recently, two children from Tondo and Marikina were reported to have died from poisoning by mistakenly drinking cleaning fluid for jewelry from a plastic bottle.

Duque noted that these injuries could have been prevented if only proper preventive measures were in place, making kids safer in schools, homes, and communities.

Presently, the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System is in its pilot implementation at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Philippine Orthopedic Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Philippine General Hospital, Davao MedicalCenter, Vicente Sotto Medical Center, and Paulino Garcia Medical Center.

Also, to provide necessary advocacy support, the Philippine Child Survival Strategy and Plan of Action for 2008-2010 included injury prevention and control, and deworming as part of the 8 essential child survival package of interventions. The other interventions include immunization, skilled birth attendance, breastfeeding, complementary feeding at 6 months of age, Vitamin A supplementation, among others.

Another health problem that needs to be resolved is the prevalence of worm infections among school-age group. Recent data disclosed that there were five out of ten schoolchildren positive for intestinal worms. The ill-effects of intestinal worms are malnutrition, increased vulnerability to other infections, decreased mental capacity, as well as growth retardation.

To control intestinal parasitism, the DOH, in partnership with the Feed the Children, UNICEF, WHO, and other stakeholders supports the mass deworming campaign for children 1-12 years old twice a year through the Integrated Helminth Control Program,

To address the issue of child injury, the DOH, in partnership with concerned stakeholders, formulated the National Policy and Strategic Framework for Child Injury Prevention and Control. Five priority areas which include road traffic injuries, poisoning, falls, burns, and drowning, will be undertaken by the health sector for immediate action.

http://www.doh.gov.ph/health_advisories/medical_device_adv
Toy Safety Tips Advisory

Things to remember in choosing toys for children:

Characteristics of a good toy:
1. Suitable to the child’s physical capabilities, mental and social development;
2. Appealing and interesting to the child; and
3. Well constructed, durable and safe for the child’s age.

Do’s and Dont’s in Toy Safety:

1. Check labels on the packaging and observe precautions appearing in the labels to ensure the safety of the child;
2. Ensure that the child will play with a toy suited for his age under adult supervision;
3. Dispose plastic packaging accordingly. Keep it out of reach of children;
4. For children under age three (3), do not buy the following toys:
• balls with a diameter of 1.75 inches or less so as to prevent choking;
• that easily breaks into small parts or pieces (glass or brittle plastics);
• containing small detachable parts or pieces which could become lodged in the throat;
• with sharp points and edges;
• with electrical parts, unless supervised by an adult;
• with parts that could pinch or entrap fingers, toes or hair;
• with parts put together by straight pins, sharp wires or nails that are exposed and easily detached.

For inquiries, please call the Bureau of Health Devices and Technology (BHDT)-Department of Health at 743-8301 local 3408 or at 711-6824.


http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/fluoroquinolone070908.html
Consumer Update
Stronger Warnings Requested for Fluoroquinolones

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified manufacturers of fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drugs that a boxed warning on the increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture is necessary. A boxed warning on a drug's label calls attention to serious or life-threatening risks.

The agency has also determined that manufacturers should provide patients with a Medication Guide about possible side effects. Medication Guides are paper handouts that come with certain prescription medications.
What are fluoroquinolones?

Fluoroquinolones are drugs approved for the treatment or prevention of certain bacterial infections. Like other antibacterial drugs, fluoroquinolones do not treat viral infections such as colds or flu.
Which drugs are involved in this action?

These warnings would apply to fluoroquinolones for systemic use (e.g., pills, tablets, capsules and injectable formulations). The warnings would not apply to fluoroquinolones for topical ophthalmic or otic use (e.g., eye and ear drops).

The medications involved in this action are: Cipro and generic ciprofloxacin, Cipro XR and Proquin XR (ciprofloxacin extended release), Factive (gemifloxacin), Levaquin (levofloxacin), Avelox (moxifloxacin), Noroxin (norfloxacin), and Floxin and generic ofloxacin.
What should patients know?

* The risk of developing fluoroquinolone-associated tendinitis and tendon rupture is further increased in people older than 60, in people taking corticosteroid drugs, and in kidney, heart, and lung transplant recipients.
* Patients experiencing pain, swelling, inflammation of a tendon or tendon rupture should stop taking their fluoroquinolone medication and contact their health care professional promptly about changing their antimicrobial therapy.
* Patients should also avoid exercising and using the affected area at the first sign of tendon pain, swelling, or inflammation.

For More Information

This article appears on FDA's Consumer Health Information Web page (www.fda.gov/consumer), which features the latest updates on FDA-regulated products. Sign up for free e-mail subscriptions at www.fda.gov/consumer/consumerenews.html.

FDA Press Release

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