DOH-7, partners reaffirm commitment versus NTDs

The Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH Central Visayas CHD) and its key partners re-affirmed their commitment to a joint project to strengthen the Philippine neglected tropical diseases program.

DOH-7 along with the World Health Organization-Philippines, the Philippine Dermatological Society, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital and the Rizal Medical Center convened earlier this week at Cebu Business Hotel concerning this matter.

The meeting was aimed to reinforce collaboration and capacity among partners engaged in the fight against NTDs.

DOH Central Visayas CHD Assistant Regional Director Sophia M. Mancao during the meeting emphasized addressing awareness, funding, and research gaps in skin neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

The project, a joint effort of the Department of Health and its partners, aims to interrupt the transmission of selected NTDs and eventually eliminate these diseases, including leprosy, yaws and lymphatic filariasis by 2030 as outlined in the Philippine Multi-Disease Elimination Plan (MDEP).

With the establishment of a program, it is expected to enhance the capacity of health and community systems for integrated disease prevention and control, accelerating progress and preserving the gains from the decade-long efforts of DOH and all stakeholders.

Meanwhile, DOV-7 also commits to strengthen its health literacy awareness about goiter.

“Goiter is a condition where there is enlargement of the thyroid gland. Ang thyroid gland, nag produce ug iodine. Ang tawo nga adunay goiter, adunay ubos nga level sa iodine nga moresulta sa iodine deficiency. Usa sa sintomas sa goiter ang pag dako sa thyroid gland, makita kini pinaagig physical nga exam or assessment. Ikaduha, lisod sa pagtulon, aduna po’y tightness o paghuot sa paginhawa kay nihuot ang agianan tungod sa thyroid” said Ryard Jude Pepito, Nurse V of DOH CV CHDNon-Communicable Diseases Section (NCDS), during the Kapihan sa PIA.

Pepito underscored the importance of iodine-rich foods in one’s diet since the most common cause of goiter is the lack of iodine in the diet.

“Aron malikayan ang goiter, giawhag ang mga katawhan na mokaon ta ug iodinerich foods sama sa mga dairy products, green leafy vegetables, fish, eggs, and others,” Pepito added.

By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1188, Goiter Awareness Week is commemorated every 4th week of January with this year’s theme as “Leeg Kapain, Goiter Sugpuin: Isip ay Patalinuhin, Iodized Salt ay Gamitin”.

This highlights the importance of iodine and the agency’s commitment to increase awareness among the general public about the causes, consequences, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the disease. --