PhilHealth Launches GAMOT in Zamboanga Sibugay, Offering ₱20,000 in Annual Free Medicines

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay - The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) officially launched the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program in Zamboanga Sibugay today, June 4, 2026. The landmark rollout at the Dr. George Tocao Hofer Medical Center establishes a provincial system where eligible members and their dependents can access up to ₱20,000 worth of free essential medicines annually.

PhilHealth Launches GAMOT in Zamboanga del Norte, Providing Php 20,000 in Annual Free Medicines

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte - The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) officially launched the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program in Zamboanga del Norte today, May 28, 2026. The ceremonial launch, held at the Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center (ZNMC), establishes a provincial system where eligible members and their dependents can access up to Php 20,000 worth of free essential medicines annually.

60B ibinalik na sa PhilHealth ayon sa utos ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., Ipinalalakas ang Serbisyong Pangkalusugan

OPISYAL NANG naibalik sa PhilHealth ang ₱60 bilyon mula sa National Treasury alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Ang hakbang na ito ay isang malinaw na pahayag ng tiwala ng Pangulong matutugunan ng PhilHealth ang mandato nitong maging katuwang ng bawat Pilipino sa pangangailangang pangkalusugan.

7 die of HIV infections in General Santos City

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Seven people here have died from HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection since early this year, health officials said.

Dr. Mely Lastimoso, coordinator of the City Health Office's (CHO) Social Hygiene Clinic, said the patients succumbed to various disease complications triggered by full-blown AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

She said most of the victims were already suffering from the advanced stages of the disease when they submitted themselves for medical examination. “Some only came to us when they already have severe opportunistic infections,” Lastimoso said.

Lastimoso said the most common infections they recorded were tuberculosis, severe pneumonia, and others died of dehydration and related symptoms after suffering from severe diarrhea. Due to the late diagnosis, she said the patients were not able to get antiretroviral or ARV drug treatment early and already too weak then to undergo treatment.

She said an HIV/AIDS patient’s life could be prolonged through immediate ARV treatment after the initial diagnosis.

The Department of Health (DOH) provides HIV/AIDS patients with free maintenance or ARV drug treatment, which mainly stops the multiplication of the infected person’s viral load. In some countries, the use of antiretroviral drugs has helped effectively lower the incidence of HIV infection to about one percent and eventually stabilized the detected cases.

The Social Hygiene Clinic is one of the satellite treatment facilities in Region 12 accredited by the DOH. “A patient who undergoes ARV treatment becomes virally-suppressed so they can no longer infect other people,” Lastimoso said.

CHO records showed that HIV cases have already reached nearly 600, but Lastimoso believes there are many persons who are living with HIV in the area who remained untested. “The goal of the government campaign is to look for these HIV-positive individuals and subject them to ARV treatment. That way, we can stop the spread of the disease, especially among young people,” she said. (PNA, Mindanao Examiner)

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Maguindanao town benefits from ARMM special program

MAGUINDANAO – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), through its special Humanitarian and Development Assistance Program (HDAP), turned over Friday various medical equipment and health facilities to the town of Mamasapano here.

Julkarnain Abas, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH)-ARMM, said among the health facilities are two rural health units, 18 barangay health stations, 11 communal toilets, 11 deep wells with elevated water tanks, and P7.5 million worth of medical equipment.

“Malaking tulong po ito in terms of our programs in health. Marami po itong matutulungan dahil hindi na kailangan lumuwas pa papuntang Poblacion dahil kung mayroon na silang paanakan sa lugar, malaking bagay na yun,” said Mamasapano Mayor Benzhar Ampatuan.

Dr. Ariff Baguindala of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) Maguindanao, thanked ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman for the program and said this will benefit many people in the town.
“Ang ating dictum ay since the people cannot reach the health facilities, we are reaching out to the community – tayo na ang lumalapit sa community. Health care now becomes more accessible to Mamasapano residents,” he said.

Abas sees the importance of the newly established health infrastructures in decreasing the mortality rate in the town’s far-flung areas. “Kung titignan natin ang datos ng DOH, isa sa malaking problema ng kalusugan ay yung facility-based deliveries kaya malaking boost nito sa ating mga services sa health sector,” he said.

ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia also urged citizens, especially the women, to optimize the use of barangay health stations and rural health units. “Mahalaga bilang babae itong mga ito dahil magiging malapit na yung access at magiging mas mabilis angdelivery sa birthing facility lalo sa mga buntis,” she said.

She also said the regional government is building a P100-million additional hospital facility in Maguindanao. “Eventually, kapag natapos na ang hospital annex ng Maguindanao IPHO ay magagamit din ng mga tao – that is a P100-million facility.”

“Kailangan matapos natin yan lahat bago magtapos ang ARMM at ma-setup ang BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao),” Alamia said in anticipation of the change in Bangsamoro region's government.

ARMM-HDAP is the region’s special program that implements various government initiatives that promote peace and help the situation in calamity-affected communities specifically the 15 Maguindanao towns inside the so-called ‘SPMS Box’, a former conflict area.

Projects under ARMM-HDAP include school buildings, houses, health centers, roads and bridges, and provision of livelihood programs. (Bureau of Pubic Information)

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South Cotabato vows to reduce malnutrition cases

GENERAL SANTOS CITY - The provincial government of South Cotabato said it is working on the expansion of its nutrition programs aimed at further reducing the incidence of malnutrition in communities.

Maria Ana Uy, provincial community affairs chief, said they have set new targets to address malnutrition at the household and community levels, especially those situated in remote areas.

She said the initiative is focused on adequate nutrition for babies in their first 1,000 days, and the establishment of more food gardens among local households. “We are also stressing the importance of nutrition research to assess if our nutrition projects are on the right track," said Uy, who is also the provincial nutrition action officer.

She said the province also aims to qualify for the "Green Banner Award" from the National Nutrition Council (NNC), the highest recognition given to local government units with excellent implementation and management of nutritional programs.

Just recently, the province received its second Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition or Crown maintenance award from the NNC. Citing records, Uy said malnutrition cases in the province's 10 towns and its lone city have been declining in the past 15 years.

Last year, the prevalence rate of malnutrition among infants and children in the area dropped to 4.46 percent, she said. “Our overall situation has significantly improved and malnutrition rate in all localities in the province were already in single digits as of the end of 2017,” Uy said. (Anna Liza Cabrido)

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Cebu LGUs urged to set up AIDS councils

CEBU CITY - The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has urged local governments in Cebu to establish their own local AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) Council or LACS in an effort to help spread awareness of the deadly disease in the province.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-Cebu media officer Greggy Senados said that a functional AIDS council is one of the keys in effective information dissemination about the alarming state of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) cases in Cebu. Out of 54 local governments in Cebu province, Senados said only five cities - Cebu, Danao, Naga, Toledo, and Carcar - and the municipalities Minglanilla and Compostela have functional AIDS council, including the Cebu provincial government.

“We need to have more LACs to help spread awareness about HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) in Cebu province. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is now reaching out to the remaining 47 local government units or LGUs to establish their local AIDS councils,” he said.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have conducted several projects in Cebu, inc
luding providing technical assistance and trainings on the prevention, awareness, and information dissemination about HIV-AIDS. They also trained LGUs to help them establish their functional LACs.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has also partnered with Bisdak Pride Cebu to spread HIV-AIDS awareness through theater arts. The group has already performed and talked about HIV in Argao town and is set to bring the campaign to Santander, Moalboal, Balamban, Toledo, Danao, Consolacion, Bogo City, Bantayan Island, and Daanbantayan next month. (Luel Galarpe and Bebie Jane Casipong)

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DOH pushes deworming in Central Visayas

CEBU CITY - The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) has urged children and adults to undergo regular deworming and rid their bodies of parasites and stay healthy.

Dr. Ronald Jarvik Buscato, DOH-7 medical officer, assured the public that deworming is safe and that they have been administering deworming medicines for years now.

“We want to remind all parents and people that deworming has been done long time ago and there is no bad effect,” Buscato said. He said deworming is the giving of an anthelmintic drug to a human or animal to rid them of parasites, such as flukes, roundworm, and tapeworm. The most common infections in humans are caused by unclean hands and food, which are vehicles for parasites, Buscato said.

Children are the most vulnerable to intestinal worms because outdoor activities take up most of their time, he said. He clarified that deworming is different from vaccination.

“It (deworming) is a preventive therapy where the child or adult will be tested for worms in the stomach. If found positive, they will be treated by just taking medicines,” he said.

Buscato said that after the Dengvaxia vaccine issue last year, the number of people who underwent deworming decreased by 50% because of concerns. “The problem that we are facing now is the decrease in our accomplishment in deworming in 2018 because of the issue regarding the Dengvaxia vaccine,” he said.

“Some may respond differently and some may tolerate. Stomach ache and vomiting after deworming may result due to improper preparation prior to deworming. It is important to have a full meal before taking the medicine,” said Buscato, who also assured that despite these adverse effects, the treatment is safe and effective.

To help them regain the trust of parents and the people, the DOH-7 has coordinated with local government units in the dissemination of information regarding the deworming program. Buscato said those interested to avail of deworming medicines may go to their health centers, where these are given for free. (Luel Galarpe and Bebie Jane Casipong)

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Pass ‘Mental Health’ bill now

WITH THE recent suicides of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain and fashion designer Kate Spade, Deputy Speaker Romero Quimbo has called for the swift passage into law of the proposed mental health bill.

He said it is now up to Malacañang - as both chambers of Congress have already passed and consolidated the bill - to swiftly act on the matter.

“The recent deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain have once more brought the issue of mental health to the forefront. Apart from the messages of support and calls for greater awareness of mental health issues, what is needed most by the countless Filipinos who live with mental health problems is concrete action by the government,” Quimbo said.

He said there is a need to address the inadequate government response to the mental health needs of Filipinos by establishing a national mental health system. Data from the Department of Health showed that one in 5 adults and one in 10 children in the country have experienced mental health problems.

“Far too many promising lives have been destroyed or diminished because of unaddressed mental health care needs," Quimbo said. “Even when they are able to reach out to their friends and families, Filipinos living with mental health problems simply have no mental health facilities or psychiatrists to turn to. This is precisely why the Mental Health Act is needed now.”

The bill mandates the DOH to develop a National Mental Health Care Services Delivery System, which shall constitute a quality mental health care program as well as a nationwide mental health information and education program.

The program shall be done in close coordination with, and active involvement of, persons with disabilities and their respective organizations, and other users of mental health facilities and services, including their careers, and mental health professionals.

Furthermore, the bill seeks the reconstitution and strengthening of the Philippine Mental Health Council as an attached agency under the DOH to provide for a coherent, rational and unified response to mental health problems, concerns and efforts.

Other provisions of the bill include the creation of community-based mental health care facilities, and the integration of the study of mental health in elementary and high schools.

“The eventual passage into law of the Mental Health Act will not solve the problem overnight. Providing mental health services to all Filipinos who need it and ending the stigma attached to mental health will be a long process requiring additional and committed work from government and all concerned sectors," Quimbo said.

"What is important, however, is that the process be jumpstarted through the passage into law of this measure. No less important is the message we send to those who have for far too long suffered in silence and without adequate support: you are not alone,” he added. (Filane Mikee Cervantes)

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Mass immunization vs. measles launched in Zamboanga City

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Health and the local government have launched a massive immunization against measles in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines following an outbreak of the disease in many villages here.

The mass immunization, which began on February 19 will run until March 23, where health workers go house-to-house in all 98 villages in an effort to vaccinate children with ages 6 months to 5 years old. Nearly 122,000 children are expected to benefit from the vaccination.

The City Health Office under Dr Dulce Amor Miravite declared the outbreak after it recorded at least 100 measles cases since early this year which was 1300% higher compared from last year’s medical records.

At least 3o% of those infected by the disease were children ages 1 to 5 and mostly females who had no measles immunization, according to the City Health Office.

Health officials have repeatedly appealed and urged mothers to have their children vaccinated to protect them from measles which is a serious respiratory diseases that causes rashes and fever, and is very contagious because it can easily spread through sneezing and coughing and direct contact with nasal or throat secretions.

There was no reports of deaths from the outbreak of the disease, but the City Health Office urged those with measles to avoid direct contact with other people to help prevent contamination. (Mindanao Examiner)


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ARMM provides health-related infra in conflicted-affected Maguindanao towns

COTABATO CITY – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao continues to provide health and social protection assistance to communities in Maguindanao, the most conflict-affected province in ARMM, through the construction and enhancement of health facilities.

As of November 2017, over P216 million was allocated for such projects, which are being implemented through the ARMM’s Humanitarian and Development Action Plan (HDAP). The HDAP-ARMM is a project of Hataman administration that implements various government initiatives in conflict-affected areas of the region.

These initiatives include relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of both horizontal and vertical infrastructures and provision of livelihood programs that will promote peace and help the situation in calamity-affected communities specifically in 15 towns of Maguindanao.

The projects include 34 Barangay Health Stations, with 86.45% physical accomplishment, constructed in the different towns in Maguindanao namely:
•             Brgy. Poblacion II, Tapikan and Satan in Shariif Aguak;
•             Brgy. Ganta, Pusao and Linantangan in Shariff Saydona Mustapha;
•             Brgy. Talisawa and Sugadol in Datu Abdullah Sangki;
•             Brgy. Tambunan and South Binangga in Talayan;
•             Brgy. Kabingi in Datu Saudi Ampatuan;
•             Brgy. Bakat in Rajah Buayan;
•             Brgy. Labu Labu II and Tuayan in Datu Hoffer;
•             Brgy. Lusay and Pidsandawan in Mamasapano;
•             Brgy. Tanuel , Lower Capiton, Ambolodto and Sibuto in Datu Odin Sinsuat;
•             Brgy. Midtimbang, Tulunan and Muslim in Datu Anggal Midtimbang;
•             Brgy. Mileb, Macadayon and Pageda in Talitay;
•             Brgy Malangug and Brgy. Kyamko in Datu Unsay;
•             Brgy. Butilanin, Pandi, Andavit and Pindetan in Datu Salibo;
•             Brgy. Damabalas in Datu Piang; and
•             Brgy. Macasampen in Guindulungan.

Meanwhile, three Rural Health Units (RHUs) were expanded in the municipalities of Mamasapano, Talitay and Datu Piang, while the RHUs in Talayan and Datu Salibo are yet to be constructed.

Fifteen deep wells with elevated water tanks worth P7.5 million and 15 communal toilets worth P3.75 million were also constructed in the municipalities of Rajah Buayan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Hoffer, Sharrif Aguak, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Talitay, Shariff Saydona, Guindulungan, Datu Piang, and Mamasapano.

On April 21, 2017, a ceremonial groundbreaking was conducted for the construction of the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital - Datu Piang Annex, which has a 25-bed capacity and would be worth over P46 million. As of November 2017, the project has 38.86% physical accomplishment.

The provision of support package equipment for the hospital is still under bidding, while the personnel salary for operations will be covered by a memorandum of agreement upon the completion of the hospital building.

HDAP-ARMM aims at establishing a well-coordinated and systematic approach to address and mitigate effects of disasters and calamities. It also aims at addressing the needs and at providing immediate interventions to families affected by violent encounters between the military and the rebels.

To ensure that the projects are properly implemented, the HDAP-ARMM’s Project Management Office is strictly supervising and monitoring these projects.(Bureau of Public Information)

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ARMM disseminates 5-year national nutrition plan

COTABATO CITY – The Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the National Nutrition Council have disseminated Thursday the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman led the symbolic turnover of PPAN 2017-2022 documents to various stakeholders. The five-year Philippine nutrition plan is an integral part of the Philippine Development Plan covering 2017 to 2022. It is consistent with the Duterte administration’s 10-point Economic Agenda, Philippine Health Agenda, the development pillars of ‘malasakit’, ‘pagbabago’, and ‘kaunlaran’, and the Ambisyon2040 program.

It aims to improve the situation of nutrition in the country, especially in ARMM, as contribution to the achievements of AmBisyon 2040 that seeks to improve the quality of the country’s human resource base, reducing inequality in human development outcomes, and reducing child and maternal mortality.

The nutrition plan consists 12 programs - eight are nutrition specific, one is nutrition sensitive, and the remaining three enabling support programs.

“We would like to improve our health services,” ARMM Health Secretary Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, Jr. said as he presented the region’s state of nutrition. “Our health services will only improve with your participation. Pag hindi po kayo nakialam at hindi nakipagtulungan, kaunti lang po ang ating magagawa,” he said.

The program was attended by members of the National Nutrition Council and Regional Nutrition Council as well as representatives of provincial health offices and local government units of the ARMM’s five provinces, namely Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

“Naniniwala po ako sa kakayahan ng ating mga LGUs at line agencies. With the guidance of Governor Hataman, malayo pa po ang ating mararating,” Dr. Sinolinding said. 

Representatives from non governmental organizations such as the World Food Program and the United Nations Children’s Fund were also present during the program. (Bureau of Public Information)

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Know about illegal drugs and their ill-effects

WHAT’S WITH DRUGS that make the world so deeply concerned about people using them? In the Philippines alone, an estimated four to seven million of its 104 million populations are said to be using prohibited drugs.

As a campaign promise, President Rodrigo Duterte has made the crackdown on illegal drugs a centerpiece of his administration -- for which he has been chastised from all fronts, in and out of the country. Drug addiction, no doubt, has severely affected society, cutting across all socio-economic echelons and demographics. No one can deny that drug addiction is a societal menace, resulting in countless crimes, financial problems, and broken relationships, both with families and friends.

Here’s a glimpse of what the common prohibited drugs are and how they affect the body and mind. According to a primer of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) posted on its website, drugs are chemical substances that affect the normal functioning of the body, either physically and/or psychologically.

Not all drugs are illegal, it says. The caffeine in coffee, the nicotine in cigarettes, and alcohol are technically legal drugs. Medicines are pharmaceutical drugs used to treat or prevent illnesses. They are legal, although they could also be abused. The ones people should totally shun are the illegal drugs because they alter a person’s mood, thinking, and behavior. All illegal drugs have immediate physical effects, and they also hinder psychological and emotional development, especially among young people, says the UNODC.

Drugs cloud a user’s judgment, making him/her take more risks, for instance having unsafe sex that could lead one to contract sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. The effects of illegal drugs do not last long. When they wear off, a user gets depressed, lonely and sick, appears confused, sweats a lot, has red eyes, and neglects his/her physical appearance and then comes the irrational craving.

The following are the most common prohibited drugs and how they affect their users:

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine, also known as Shabu, also goes by the names Crack meth, Ice, Crystal meth, Tik, and Yaba. Methamphetamine belongs to a group of drugs called amphetamine-type stimulants. Like ecstasy, it is manufactured in illegal laboratories and sold in powder, tablet or crystal form. It could be swallowed, sniffed, smoked or injected.

The UNODC says meth produces a feeling of physical and mental well-being, euphoria, and exhilaration. Users experience a temporary boost in energy, often perceived to improve their performance of manual or mental tasks, along with delayed hunger and fatigue.

At times, they become more aggressive and violent. Over the short term, users tend to lose their appetite, start to breathe faster, and sweat due to increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Taking in large doses would make users feel restless and irritable and could induce panic attacks.

Taking in excessive doses could result in convulsions, seizures, and death from respiratory failure, stroke or heart failure. Long-term use could also lead to malnutrition, weight loss, and psychological dependence and stopping its use results in a long period of sleep, followed by depression.

Ecstasy

Ecstasy goes around by the names E, Snackies and New Yorkers. The drug, usually made in illegal laboratories, consists of a range of substances that make it dangerous to consume. It comes in the form of tablet, powder or capsule and is usually swallowed, but could also be snorted or injected. Ecstasy increases users’ empathy levels and induces a feeling of closeness to people around them.

It makes them feel more sociable and energetic. Short-term use of ecstasy prompts the body to ignore distress signals such as dehydration, dizziness, and exhaustion, and interferes with the body's ability to regulate temperature. It could also severely damage the liver and kidneys and could cause convulsions and heart failure. In large doses, ecstasy could cause restlessness, anxiety and severe hallucinations.

Long-term use damages certain parts of the brain, bringing about serious depression and memory loss.

Cannabis Sativa

Cannabis is known by many names - Bongo, Ganja, Grass, Pot or Thai sticks. Its most famous name, however, is Marijuana, or Mary Jane. Cannabis, a tobacco-like greenish or brownish substance made of dried flowering tops and leaves of the cannabis plant, is usually smoked, but its resin and oil could also be swallowed or brewed in tea.

According to the UNODC, cannabis smoke contains 50 percent more tar than high-tar cigarettes, putting users at an increased risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. After taking cannabis, users feel relaxed and sometimes euphoric, with an intensified sense of sight, smell, taste, and hearing.

Short-term use makes them experience increased appetite and pulse rate, and an impaired ability to perform physical and mental tasks, such as driving a car and thinking logically. With large doses, users’ thinking slows down and they become confused and have bouts of anxiety, panic, and psychotic episodes.

The UNODC said that regular users of cannabis run the risk of developing psychological dependence to the point that they lose interest in all other activities, such as work and personal relationships.

Cocaine

Cocaine is known as Crack, Bazooka, Blanche, Cake, Coke or Lady. It is a fine white or off-white powder extracted from the leaves of the coca plant. The UNODC said that on the street, cocaine is diluted with other substances, such as ammonia or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), to increase its quantity and produce crack.

Cocaine is usually sniffed or injected, while crack is usually smoked. After snorting cocaine, users feel exhilarated and euphoric, leading to increased energy levels and alertness, along with delayed hunger and fatigue. Short-term use results in loss of appetite, faster breathing, increased body temperature and heart rate.

Users may act strangely, erratically and at times violently. Ingesting large doses of cocaine could cause convulsions, seizures, stroke, cerebral hemorrhage or heart failure. Long-term use of cocaine damages the nose tissue and leads to respiratory problems, abscesses, and infectious diseases.

Other risks include strong psychological dependence, malnutrition, weight loss, disorientation, apathy and a state similar to paranoid psychosis. Mixing cocaine with alcohol is dangerous and could lead to sudden death.

Heroin

Heroin is also called Smack, H, Horse, Junk, Harry and White Lady. Heroin is a painkiller processed from morphine, which comes from the opium poppy plant. Pure heroin is a white powder, but street heroin is brownish white.

This highly addictive drug is usually injected, but could also be snorted, smoked or inhaled. Heroin could relieve tension, anxiety, and depression, including physical distress or pain. According to the UNODC, its short-term effects include constricted pupils, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, inability to concentrate and apathy.

Long-term effects, meanwhile, include severe weight loss, malnutrition, constipation, menstrual irregularity, sedation and chronic apathy. Users could develop a tolerance for the drug, making them ingest more to achieve the effect they want.

Overdosing on heroin could lead to coma and death through respiratory depression. Abruptly quitting heroin leads to severe withdrawal symptoms, such as cramps, diarrhea, tremors, panic, runny nose, chills, and sweats.

LSD

Also known as Acid or Hippie, LSD is a semi-synthetic drug made from lysergic acid, which is found in a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. Dealers often sell it in squares of blotting paper with drops containing the drug, but also in the form of tablets, capsules, and liquid.

The colorless and odorless drug is often swallowed and has a slightly bitter taste. According to the UNODC, LSD use leads to strong changes in thought, mood, and senses, along with feelings of empathy and sociability. Its exact effects, however, vary, depending on the mental state of the user and the environment when taking the drug.

Over the short term, users experience delusions and distorted perceptions in terms of time and color, severe and terrifying thoughts and feelings, such as fear of losing control, insanity, death, and despair. Users manifest dilated pupils, increased heart rate and blood pressure, dry mouth and tremors. They lack appetite and are sleepless. (Juzel Danganan)

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DOH Keeps Eye on Bird Flu outbreak

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) said it is closely monitoring the avian flu outbreak in poultry in Pampanga where the Department of Agriculture (DA) decided to cull some 500,000 chickens to contain the animal outbreak.

The DOH said it will now look for human cases that may have been exposed to avian flu strain in affected areas. “Any person who becomes sick with fever or sore throat or cough and had exposure to these dead chickens should report to the local health center or nearest hospital for laboratory confirmation,” it said.

It added that a team of DOH epidemiologists was dispatched to assist the DA in the outbreak investigation and has alerted hospitals in the affected areas to report similar cases. “All health providers should observe respiratory precautions when taking care of patients with flu or flu-like illness,” DOH said, adding, properly cooked chicken remains safe to eat.

Authorities in southern Philippines have seized thousands of duck eggs and tons of dressed chicken which were shipped from Manila for fear of bird flu contamination.

Some 35,000 eggs were intercepted on August 16 by the Bureau of Animal Industry from a ferry after it was found that it came from the town of Candaba near San Luis in Pampanga province where an outbreak of bird flu was reported.

The shipment was discovered by the quarantine service and had been ordered seized. It was not immediately known whether the eggs originally came from San Luis and passed through Candaba to evade the ban on poultry products from the province contaminated by the avian influenza virus common among birds.

Some 21 tons of dressed chicken were also intercepted in Cagayan de Oro City which was shipped from the Port of Manila. Authorities were investigating whether it came from Pampanga.  (Mindanao Examiner)

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80,000 diapers distributed to Marawi mothers

COTABATO CITY – About 80,000 cloth and disposable diapers have been distributed to lactating mothers as part of the continuing humanitarian assistance to affected residents in Marawi City in southern Philippines.

The recipients are nursing mothers currently in evacuation centers as well as those staying in their relatives’ houses. Various line agencies in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and private donors from Metro Manila and Cotabato City donated the diapers.
 
ARMM’s Cabinet Secretary Khal Mambuay-Campong said the drive started since the first day of the Marawi siege to help parents provide diapers for their babies. “As part of the ARMM's Crisis Management Committee, and as a mother, ito yung naisip namin na ibigay dahil gusto namin matulungan yung mga parents na hirap maghanap ng diapers for their babies dahil walang mabilihan," Campong said.
 
She reiterated how important the diapers are to keep the babies clean, dry and healthy. The fifth batch of diapers was distributed on July 10, in evacuation centers in Lanao del Sur. The diapers came from the different agencies of the ARMM, the Philippine Business for Social Progress, and private donors outside the ARMM.
 
“Kailangan talaga namin ng diaper para sa baby ko; wala kaming pambili kaya naghihintay na lang kami na may pupunta dito sa amin at magbibigay ng diaper,” said Kuray Datu Ma-as, one of the thousands of displaced Marawi residents staying at the evacuation center in Saguriaran municipality.
 
Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., ARMM’s Health Secretary said “diapers in difficult situations, such as the unexpected displacement of families, give parents a sigh of relief on easier management of their children’s wastes when the water supply is scarce and sanitary disposal poses a challenge. For the Health department, it is a better alternative that allows parents to focus on more important things while sanitary disposal is afforded for their children.”

Dr. Sinolinding said unsanitary practices could even lead to serious infections among babies. The ARMM government continues to send relief packs, hygiene kits and medical services to the affected residents of Marawi. (Bureau of Public Information)

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