DOH-7 confers hall of fame award to 3 gov’t facilities

The Department of Health in Region-7 has named a government agency and two institutions as Hall of Fame Awardees for being awarded as smoke-free government offices for three consecutive years.

Ma. Ligaya Moneva, focal person of the National Tobacco Control Program of DOH-7, revealed to reporters yesterday that the Civil Service Commission-7, St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital in Cebu City; and the DOH Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (male dormitory) in Argao town have been declared as Hall of Fame awardees this year for winning the agency's Red Orchid from Tabasa Bitoon, Daanbantayan, Cebu, diagnosed with acute Leukemia needs financial assistance for his chemotherapy.

6 years old from Umapad, Mandaue City, diagnosed with Thalassemia syndrome needs financial assistance for her maintenance medicine.

7 years old female from San Roque, Talisay City, Cebu diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia needs financial assistance for her chemotherapy. Award for three consecutive years.

This government-initiated search dubbed "DOH Red Orchid Awards 2017" seeks to recognize smoke-free offices of local government units (LGUs), government agencies, governmentrun hospitals, and DOH-managed centers for health development.

Moneva said other Hall of Fame awardees in Cebu are Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City; Eversley Child's Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City; and Talisay District Hospital.

Some government entities such as the Bureau of Quarantine,

4 years old from Poblacion Consolacion diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia needs financial assistance for his chemotherapy.

diagnosed with Neuroblastoma INSS Stage 4 needs financial assistance for his chemotherapy, MRI and surgical resection of the tumor.

12 years old from Upper San Vicente Liloan diagnosed with Leukemia needs financial assistance for her chemotherapy. Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Education, among others, have also signified to join in the next year's search.

However, no LGU here in Cebu has yet received the smokefree recognition.

Moneva said the regional agency hopes to have one in the coming years with the implementation of the nationwide smoking ban, adding that they dream for the entire Cebu province to be declared a smoke-free province soon.

She found it imperative for all LGUs to create and maintain a smoke-free environment and also impose measures to promote this advocacy.

Winning LGUs will receive P100,000 worth of drugs and medicines for non-communicable diseases. If they win the Red Orchid Awards for three consecutive years, the LGU will get the opportunity to submit a proposal for tobacco control project and to receive a P500,000 grant once the project is approved by the DOH.

The DOH-retained hospitals and other government offices are

13 years old from Alaska, Mambaling, Cebu City diagnosed with severe Anemia needs financial assistance for her work up. from Tal-ut Valencia, Carcar City diagnosed with Immunodeficiency Syndrome needs financial assistance for his maintenance which is Human Immunoglobulin. however not eligible for project grants and will receive special citations only.

The awarding activity highlights achievements in tobacco control in four categories: (1) local government units (province, chartered cities, and municipalities); (2) government hospitals; (3) government offices; and (4) DOH centers for health development and DOH hospitals.

The candidates are judged based on their strength in really imposing comprehensive efforts to maintain a smoke-free environment.