DOH launches multi-sectoral initiative to eradicate tuberculosis

OIC Secretary of Health – Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire and Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. present the PAAP-TB document

The Department of Health (DOH) has launched the Philippine Acceleration Action Plan for Tuberculosis (PAAP-TB), a multisectoral initiative to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) in the country by 2035. The DOH together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), through the PAAP-TB aims to provide wider access to health services, and improved education and public information, social protection, and labor protection to eradicate TB by 2030.

Tuberculosis is a chronic communicable disease that comes second only to COVID-19 as a leading cause of mortality from a single infectious organism. According to the Global TB Report 2022, the disease accounted for 1.6 million deaths in 2021. In a preliminary report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) this year, TB continues to rank 11th among the causes of death in the Filipino population.

OIC Secretary of Health – Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire delivers opening remarks on the importance of TB eradication and building a healthy population

TB elimination entails improving access to TB services, and addressing the social, economic, and physical determinants that significantly affect its occurrence, transmission, and even treatment. “In addressing these social determinants of health, we enjoin all our sectoral stakeholders for synergistic solutions to overcrowding, low education, malnutrition, and ultimately poverty. Our collective interventions will make TB services equitable, especially for the poor,” said Officer-in-Charge Secretary Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire.

The PAAP-TB aims to address the nation's TB epidemic by re-examining current programs and initiatives of National Coordinating Committee for Tuberculosis (TB-NCC) member organizations. Together, these collaborating sectors will provide an action plan and involve the private sector and organizations to achieve the program's goals over two medium terms.

PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr. delivers pledge of support for the elimination of TB in the Philippines 

TESDA QSO Director El Cid Castillo delivers pledge of support for the elimination of TB in the Philippines 

FDA Director IV Jesusa Joyce N. Cirunay delivers pledge of support for the elimination of TB in the Philippines 

Also present at the event were representatives from various sectors committed to eradicating TB in the Philippines, Department of Health Assistant Secretary Beverly Ho, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., DSWD Assistant Secretary Janet Armas, DOLE Executive Director for the Occupational Safety and Health Center Ma. Teresita Cucueco, and FDA Director IV Jesusa Joyce Cirunay.

Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Janet Armas during the press conference at the Philippine Acceleration Action Plan for Tuberculosis (PAAP-TB) initiative

“By engaging multiple disciplines, organizations, sectors, and partners can combine strengths and leverage resources, expertise, and knowledge, while addressing the social, environmental, economic, and political systemic drivers that influence behaviors and prevent the effective delivery of health policies and interventions,” said Officer-In-Charge Singh-Vergeire.

USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks delivers pledge of support for the elimination of TB in the Philippines 

The PAAP-TB document has been developed with technical support from the USAID’s TB Innovations and Health Systems Strengthening Project implemented by FHI 360.

Advocates Light a Path for Better Cancer Care in PH

Advocates from various organizations gathered to light a path towards better cancer care at an event held last March 10 at Greenbelt 3. (From Left:  Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations President Fatima “Girlie” Lorenzo; Program Host Jing Castaneda; Patient Advocate Jojo Flores; MSD Philippines Market Access and Corporate Affairs Director Michael Andrew Blanch; MSD Philippines President and Managing Director Andreas Riedel; Cancer Commission Philippine College of Surgeons Director Dr. Ramy Roxas; Singer/Actor Marlo Mortel; MSD Philippines Business Unit Director Oncology Allan Ancheta; Department of Health Program Manager Dr. Clar Cairo; Greenbelt 3 Mall Senior Marketing Associate Manager Natasha Faustino; PHAP Executive Director Ted Padilla; Philippine Society of Medical Oncology President Dr. Arnold John Uson; National Council on Disability Affairs Executive Director Engr. Emer Rojas; and UHC Policy Development Senior Vice President Dr. Israel Pargas)

Health advocates gathered to call for better cancer care in the Philippines through a candle-lighting ceremony held last March 10 at the Greenbelt Activity Area in Makati City.  

A multi-sectoral group composed of members from the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry led by the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) in collaboration with MSD, recently came together for a landmark event titled Hope Matters: Lighting A Path for Better Cancer Care to ask for the implementation of the Universal Healthcare Law (UHC) and the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA).  

The activity was attended by stakeholders who want to push for better cancer care, including Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO), Philippine College of Surgeons- Cancer Commission (PCS-CANCOM), Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO), MSD and Astra Zeneca. Aside from the symbolic gesture of lighting candles for cancer awareness, they launched a call for action through an online petition that is addressed to the National Government. Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in the country. According to the 2018 Global Data on Cancer, more than 140,000 new cancer cases and more than 80,000 cancer deaths are expected in the Philippines every year. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Filipinos, followed by lung, colon, liver, and prostate1. A study conducted by the University of the Philippines’ Institute of Human Genetics, National Institutes of Health, finds that 89 of every 100,000 Filipinos are afflicted with cancer while four Filipinos die of cancer every hour2. 

The provisions of the NICCA, which was passed in 2019, will help mitigate the impact of cancer in the country. It ensures the provision of quality health services and financial risk protection to cancer patients. It emphasizes cancer prevention and improvement of survivorship, by improving related health services and care while including additional funding for cancer programs.  

Cancer survivor Jojo Flores explained the added challenges that patients have to overcome in order to receive their much-needed treatment, “For cancer patients, it is collision of the two big C’s -- Cancer and Covid. The treatment for cancer patients is time-bound, but because of the Covid situation, many have not been able to receive their treatments. Hospitals and doctors had to focus on CoVID-19 cases, and even transporting the patient to the hospital was a problem.” he said. Mr. Flores added that although NICCA may take time to implement in its totality, there are aspects of the law that can already help save many lives, especially with early detection.  

Flores is calling specific NICCA provisions to be implemented as soon as possible. These are:  

1. The immediate classification of cancer patients as Persons with Disabilities PWDs as soon as formally diagnosed.

2. Mandatory cancer policies in the workplace. 

3. The inclusion of innovative therapies among cancer treatments aimed at treating the disease and improve the patient’s quality of life; and

4. Coordinated cancer screening and detection programs at the community levels. 

During the forum, one of the points raised by PHAP Director Mr. Teodoro Padilla was the need for public support and private partnerships to enhance better cancer care. He added that as the government implements measures to make medicines more accessible, it is important to address certain bottlenecks to make treatments that are available in other countries also accessible for Filipino patients. 

The healthcare and pharmaceutical sector is extending its help not only in the call for the government’s implementation of the NICCA, through initiatives such as Hope From Within by MSD Philippines. The cancer advocacy program introduced the Cancer Game Plan, a health impact projection model that uses local data sets to uncover cancer outcomes and highlight how innovative treatment options such as immunotherapy may provide cancer patients quality of life and improve their overall survival.  

Andreas Riedel, President and Managing Director and the Country Leadership Team of MSD in the Philippines, expressed hope that the event will result in meaningful progress for the fight against cancer.  

“Cancer patients and their families are not alone in this fight. We at MSD are one with the community in championing a multi-stakeholder approach to promote information, education, and access to quality cancer care. Through Hope Matters: Lighting a Path for Better Cancer Care, we commit to continue doing our part in amplifying the voice of the Filipino Cancer patient and help usher them towards more hopeful tomorrows.”  

 

To support the call for better cancer care in the Philippines, scan the code and sign the petition

To sign the petition for the full implementation of the NICCA, visit change.org: https://www.change.org/p/department-of-health-sign-the-petition-to-fully-implement-the-national-integrated-cancer-control-act-nicca-now, and help more cancer patients receive quality and holistic healthcare services with the help of the government. (Note: Clicking on the link will lead to a third-party website, outside of the current publication. Said third party site is independent of and does not necessarily reflect the views of organizations featured in this story including MSD- Hope From Within.)

 

REFERENCES:

https://doh.gov.ph/press-release/implementing-rules-for-cancer-act-signed“Implementing Rules For Cancer Act Signed”. Accessed on 10th April 2022.

https://doh.gov.ph/philippine-cancer-control-program ”Philippine cancer control program”. Accessed on 10th April 2022.   

 

Power in Pink : United against breast cancer

SM Cares has been unwavering in spreading awareness about breast cancer. Earlier this month, Pink Ribbon Day was held, and last October 25, Power in Pink.

To strengthen the fight against breast cancer, the Department of Health together with SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, and SM City North Edsa held Power in Pink , an event in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Breast cancer has become one of the leading types of cancer worldwide, with a projection that 1 out of 13 Filipinas will develop the disease in her lifetime, according to the Philippine Breast Cancer Society. 

With the theme “United we fight!”, attendees were comprised of different national support groups, doctors, families and friends of breast cancer advocacy supporters. The project aims to unify all groups nationwide to strengthen their network in raising awareness, early detection, and early intervention in the fight against breast cancer.

Free clinical breast examinations by volunteer doctors were conducted. Power in Pink also featured a mall walkathon, introduction of all support groups and a lay forum, “Breast Cancer 101.”

SM Cares makes it a point to support women in communities where they are present. Some of their programs include program on Persons with Disabilities, Children and Youth, Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Environment Sustainability, Senior Citizens, and Overseas Filipino Workers (Global Pinoy). Breastfeeding stations across all SM Supermalls nationwide are provided as part of its program to allow mothers the convenience and freedom in nourishing their babies. 

Through Power in Pink, SM Cares looks forward to strengthening partnerships with various government and non-government organizations in advancing the advocacy for women and the fight against breast cancer.

To know more about SM Cares, please visit www.smcares.com.ph, www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares or email smcares@prime.com. 

There is nothing to fear. The earlier you detect it (breast cancer), the faster it can be cured.