Dance in Fight Against HIV: DOH Asec Eric Tayag and Bernardo Buddies tandem

He never lose his charisma, Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag surprised everyone at an art exhibit last Saturday with a dance performance to support the fight against HIV/AIDS. Joined by Seb Castro of “Bubble Pop” fame and Quezon City’s HIV testing advocates, the Bernardo Buddies, Tayag swayed to Chris Brown’s “Five More Hours.”

The exhibit was the culminating activity of the “You’re Sexy When You Know It” campaign, which was launched on World AIDS Day last year. Jointly organized by the DOH and the Quezon City Government, the campaign makes innovative use of digital tools (social media, blogs, Grindr,Youtube) to encourage males-who-have-sex-with-males MSMs) to sign-up online and set an appointment at Klinika Bernardo, a health facility in Quezon City that provides free HIV counseling,testing, and therapy. 

Disrupting the stigma related to HIV testing, especially among most-at-risk populations, is crucial in the face of the steady increase of HIV incidence in the country. In his opening speech, Tayag talked about the gravity of the current trend, saying: “As of June 2015, there were 772 new HIV Ab sero-positive individuals. This was 56% higher compared to the same period last year. This means that every month we’re getting the highest numbers of reported cases since 1984.” 

Aside from awareness campaigns, the government has also been investing in facilities that would help curb the incidence of HIV in the country. Quezon City Councilor Eufemio C. Lagumbay talked about the importance of innovation and underscored Quezon City’s commitment to addressing HIV/AIDS,proudly announcing that “Quezon City has two more social hygiene clinics, aside from Klinika Bernardo, that will help encourage testing and therapy among our MSMs.” Hosted by TV host and socialite Divine Lee, also known as “Mother Beki,” the exhibit featured works by Niccolo Cosme, Angelo Magno, Jason Moss, and Datu Jainal. Proceeds will be donated to Klinika Bernardo.

Philippine Health Experts and DOH Give High-Five to Filipino Children

Yesterday marked the celebration of the 5^th Annual World Pneumonia Day.  The event coincide with the 14^th Philippine National Immunization Conference which was held at Summit Ridge Hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines.

The program was spearheaded by no less than the Philippines’ dancing secretary Dr. Eric Tayag together with some gorgeous local dance icons, the Maneuvers, for a dance exercise.

A ceremonial vaccination campaign was also conducted.  Five mothers from Tagaytay City together with their infants were invited to participate.

There was also a huge symbolic cake that was presented to make the occasion more festive and party-like.

Pneumonia is currently the leading cause of children’s death worldwide especially those under the age of five, the reason why they never get the chance to celebrate their 5^th birthday. In 2012 alone, it has claimed the lives of 1.1 million children which is more than the deaths caused by AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined.

The Philippines being a developing country is among those that are highly at-risk from pneumonia occurrence.  Even this health condition is highly preventable,  still it has become a major death-cause among children primarily due to limited access to health care facilities and treatment as well as parent’s or the mother’s lack of education and understanding about it.

The good news is, as a response to call for action to prevent pneumonia deaths, the Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) has made available the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in most local health centers. The program will soon become of universal coverage, that is, it will be mandatory available and part of the Philippine Epidemiology Program. Other than medical interventions, there will be continuous support for health care workers to help them encourage mothers to breastfeed, practice good sanitation and learn more about nutritional practices.

It used to be that PCV is really very expensive. Some years back, I had my little boy given this vaccine as recommended by out pediatrician he has weak lungs having experienced bronchitis episode and was already hospitalized when he was just 10 months old. The vaccine costs me several thousands of pesos but I think I had no choice because I am after the well-being of my son.

But for some who lack the means, this vaccine is one of those that was often neglected. Only after something terrible happened that they will realized its importance. Although it is not a hundred percent guarantee that the vaccine will prevent a child to be disease stricken, at least it will provide a good protection. Being a mother myself I am personally glad it is now available for free. I share the vision of the Philippine government that soon, no child will ever die of pneumonia; that more children will get to celebrate their 5^th birthday and beyond.