Press Release/26 August 2008

The Philippines, through the Department of Health (DOH), opens today the three-day 2nd Regional Consultative Meeting on Universal Access to Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support in Low Prevalence Countries, where the country is included.

“Although the Philippines remains to be a low prevalence country, it should not be a reason to be complacent as statistics and trends show that the number of those infected are on the rise,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said. He added that in previous years there was an average of 20 cases reported every month, but the average now rose to 29 starting 2007.

The Department of Health took the lead in establishing the National AIDS Prevention and Control Program in 1998 in response to the emerging threat of the global AIDS pandemic. In 1994, DOH integrated its STI program with the NAPC, which had been known as National AIDS STI Prevention and Control Program (NASPCP).

NASPCP is under the Infectious Disease Office of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC). A Program Coordinator is designated, supervised by the Directors of IDO (Director III) and NCDPC (Director IV).

NANGUNGUNA SA LAHAT... NAGLILINGKOD NG TAPAT

DOH through the years

2006 - The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission recognized and awarded the DOH as the number one government agency in fighting corruption. DOH also topped in the Pulse Asia 3rd Quarter Survey as the number one government agency in terms of overall performance. 

Cervical cancer, also known as cancer of the cervix, is the second leading cause of death among Filipino women. In 2005, at least 10 Filipino women died from cervical cancer which is caused by the Human Papillomavirus or HPV. (2005 Facts and Estimates by the Philippine Cancer Society, Inc.) HPV is a common virus that affects men and women and some types can cause cervical cancer or abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix that could turn into cancer. 

The World Health Organization estimates 630 million people have HPV and there are up to 40 million cases of abnormal cervical cells and pre-cancers, which are conditions that may lead to cervical cancer.

Today, there are ways on how to prevent cervical cancer. A cervical cancer screening can save your life. Ask your doctor today for more information.

DOH Launches Cervical Cancer Prevention Month

The 1st World Malaria Day will be celebrated on April 25, 2008, a day of unified commemoration of the global effort to provide effective control of malaria around the world. The theme for World Malaria Day is “Malaria – a disease without borders”. This theme emphasizes the need for global collaboration in the fight against malaria, including the need for cross-border strategies, well documented good practice and coordinated action at all levels – international, regional, national and local. April 25 is a day of determination and optimism as the global community now has enough evidence that the fight against malaria can be won if partners come together and harmonize the efforts for an efficient collaboration of malaria control strategies to fight this dreaded disease.