Health Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral reminds government employees and the general public transacting business with government that smoking is prohibited in government buildings, grounds and premises.

In places providing services relating to health and youth activity, such as hospitals, health centers, schools, universities and colleges, smoking is absolutely prohibited and “smoking areas” are not allowed.

Except for places where smoking is absolutely prohibited, smoking is allowed only in designated and marked outdoor smoking areas that are located in an open-space with no permanent or temporary roof or walls and 10 meters away from entrances, exits or any place where people pass or congregate. Smoking Area signages must also be highly visible and prominently displayed.

In a joint announcement by Department of Health (DOH) secretary Esperanza I. Cabral and Philippine Cancer Society, Inc. (PCSI) chairman Dr. Roberto M. Paterno, breast cancer is now the most common cancer site in terms of incidence in Metro Manila and Rizal  and has surpassed lung cancer as the most prevalent cancer.

“This is significant as far as the DOH cancer control program and the PCS advocacy for prevention and early detection as we need to intensify efforts to save our women from this deadly disease,” said Sec. Cabral during the recently-held formal turnover ceremonies of the publication, “Cancer in the Philippines,” as part of the celebration of World Cancer Day (February 4). 

Pain management is one of the most important aspects of health care especially for those with chronic or terminal illnesses yet scores of Filipino patients are suffering from pain unnecessarily due to lack of accessibility and availability of opioid medicines such as morphine.

Although eliminating pain is clinically possible as there are a number of safe and effective methods that treat pain such as opioid analgesics (i.e. morphine), it is often left untreated because access to these controlled medications is a problem for many. Impediments in regulation, procurement, and knowledge and attitude on opioids often pose obstacles in the adequate use of these drugs for medical purposes.

Press Release/3 February 2010 

The 21-man Philippine Humanitarian Team sent by the Department of Health (DOH) hit the ground running upon their arrival in quake-devastated Haiti, as they immediately rendered badly-needed medical services at two locations in the capital Port-au-Prince, Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral reported today. 

Cabral disclosed that after consultation with the Health Cluster coordinator, Dr. Dana Van Alphen, the team chose to serve at the Hospitalier Eliazar Germain, a 45-bed facility one-and-a-half hours away from the United Nations base where the team had set up camp. The Philippine humanitarian team replaced the Miami Medical Mission, which had been managing the hospital until they pulled out last January 30. There the team performed debridement and other surgical procedures for wounded patients. 

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo swears in Dr. Esperanza I. Cabral as the new Department of Health Secretary during simple rites held at Malacañang Palace, Tuesday, January 26, 2010.

Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanked the 21-man Philippine humanitarian team bound for Haiti in the send-off ceremony in Malacanang yesterday.  President Arroyo noted that the filipinos had been the beneficiary of the international commuity's generosity during Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, and the sending of the medical team to Haiti was a way through which the country could give back.

Health Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral disclosed that a second team, composed mostly of psychosocial nurses and sanitary engineers, will be sent to Haiti within the next two weeks.  Cabral also acknowledged Haiti's Honorary Consul to the Philippines, Mr. George Schulze, who was instrumental in facilitating the issuance of visas to the entire Philippine humanitarian team.

22 January 2010

Health Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral reported today that the Philippine humanitarian team bound for Haiti to render medical assistance in the earthquake-stricken country will leave on Monday, January 25, 2010.

“We are very pleased that so many people helped us in this worthy project to reach out and help those in need,” said Cabral, who highlighted the assistance of Philippine Airlines (PAL) and the Philippine Airlines Foundation (PALF), FedEx and the Department of National Defense (DND).

The health chief disclosed that PAL and PALF provided free plane tickets for the whole humanitarian team for the Manila-San Francisco leg of their route.  From there, the team will take a connecting flight to Miami, and then to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. PAL and PALF also shouldered the tickets for the team’s trip home from San Francisco back to the Philippines. 

Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral (3rd from left) giving detailed instructions to Health Emergency Management Staff Director Dr. Carmencita Banatin (2nd from left) on the deployment of a medical team to Haiti. The 21-member team will be composed of general and orthopedic surgeons, internists, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, nurses, epidemiologists, psychiatrists, and sanitary engineers. Also in photo are Health Assistant Secretary Elmer Punzalan and Undersecretary Mario Villaverde.

Newly-minted Department of Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral immediately plunged into action as she held an early morning briefing with top DOH officials led by Undersecretaries Mario Villaverde and Alexander Padilla, who updated Secretary Cabral on the accomplishments of the Department, as well as its current goals and thrusts.

That same morning, Secretary Cabral, heeding President Arroyo's instruction for the country to join multinational relief efforts for Haiti, has also ordered the deployment of a medical team composed of doctors, nurses and sanitary engineers to the quake-devastated Caribbean nation. Usec. Villaverde, Director Maylene Beltran of the Bureau of International Health Cooperation and Director Carmencita Banatin of the Health Emergency Management Services met with Undersecretary Esteban Cornejos and Atty. Enrico Fos of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to coordinate the sending of the Filipino medical contingent.