Thursday, May 02, 2024

Tag: Department of Health Center for Health Development Northern Mindanao

BFAR debunks rumors of HIV-infected fish, seafood being sold in Normin

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-10 on Wednesday said there is no truth to rumors being spread online that HIV-infected medical waste that was found dumped in waters in this region has contaminated fish and seafood being sold in markets

“We want to emphasize that consuming fishery products is safe and poses no risk of contracting HIV. HIV is a virus that primarily spreads through specific human bodily fluids, such as blood, sexual fluids, and breast milk, and is not transmitted through the consumption of food, including fish and seafood,” BFAR-10 Regional Director Edward Yasay said.

Recent misleading social media posts have been circulating online, suggesting that HIV-infected medical tools found in the waters of the region (with no particular location specified) are causing seafood to carry the virus. BFAR-10 clarified that these claims are false and unsubstantiated. The Department of Health Center for Health Development Northern Mindanao (DOH-CHDNM) has verified that there is no basis for such allegations.

In addressing public health concerns, Yasay emphasized that it is vital to rely on credible sources and accurate information.

“We encourage all consumers to be vigilant about the information they encounter online and to consult reputable health organizations and authorities for accurate and trustworthy information regarding public health and food safety,” he added.

BFAR-10, through its Fisheries Integrated Laboratory Section (FILS) and Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Unit (FIQU), is fully committed to ensuring the safety and quality of fishery products available in the market. Fisheries inspectors and stringent regulatory measures are in place to monitor and regulate seafood, ensuring it meets the highest safety and hygiene standards.

Yasay urged the public to continue trusting fishery products as a safe and nutritious source of food. He assured that BFAR-10 remains dedicated to safeguarding the well-being of consumers and ensuring that the region’s fishery products meet the highest standards of safety and quality. (RTP/PIA-10)

DOH-10 inaugurates Normin regional blood center

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–The Department of Health Center for Health Development Northern Mindanao (DOH-CHDNM) inaugurates its Northern Mindanao Regional Blood Center (NMRBC) on June 30

The NMRBC is a project under the Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP) of the Department of Health that

aims to improve access to quality healthcare facilities and services in the region. The construction of the building started in 2018 under the leadership of then-DOH-10 Regional Director Dr. Nimfa Torrizo, which Regional Director Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr later carried over.

The blood center is designed to be the central storage facility for donated blood in the region. Since the center is still in its infancy, the DOH-CHDNM will work alongside the Philippine Red Cross until the facilities are fully operational.

Meanwhile, the health department hopes the public will understand and realize the importance of voluntary blood donation to save lives.

“Ang pag-construct ng mga ganitong gusali or facilities, hindi ito guarantee na consistent ang availability ng blood. Kahit meron tayong ganito kung di natin bibigyan ng tamang paraan upang magkaroon ng voluntary blood donors at magkaroon nang-stock dito wala tong kwenta ang building na ito. We need to give extra effort to make the program responsive to the needs of the people,” DOH Undersecretary for Field Implementation and Coordination Team-Mindanao, Abdullah Dumama, Jr., said. (The construction of such buildings or facilities does not guarantee the consistent availability of blood. Even if we have something like this, if we provide the right way to have voluntary blood donors and have stock here, this building will be valuable. We need to give extra effort to make the program responsive to the needs of the people)

Admittedly, the health department acknowledges the need to improve the safe blood collection and distribution system; hence, they are working with partners and stakeholders to establish a more responsive blood donation program.

“All of these accomplishments have been able to be achieved because of the cooperation of all stakeholders, and we hope that in the coming years, with the blessing from God above, we will be able to serve our Filipino people, especially those who have less in life, for they deserve more from us,” DOH-10 Regional Director Jose Llacuna said. (JAKA/PIA-10)

Bivalent vaccines launched in Normin

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–To further boost the protection of healthcare workers and senior citizens in Northern Mindanao, the Department of Health Center for Health Development Northern Mindanao (DOH-CHDNM) officially launched the COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccination drive for Northern Mindanao, June 29

The bivalent vaccine, produced by Pfizer Pharmaceutical, contains the original strain of COVID-19 with an added strain of the omicron component BA.4-5 for better prevention of COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant of SARS-COV-2.

“As a matter of principle, since there is a limitation on supply, we prioritize the health workers (A1) and senior citizens (A2). We have an initial allocation of about 16,440 doses for Northern Mindanao for its initial

implementation,” DOH-10 Regional Director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. said.

With the arrival of the vaccines, two launch sites were established by the health department to officially kick off the bivalent vaccination implementation, namely, the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) and Sitio Macanhan, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.

Despite the limited number of vaccines, Llacuna has assured the healthcare workers in NMMC that additional supplies are expected to arrive in the coming weeks and that bivalent immunization will commence in the different areas of the region.

“We will wait for about four to six months after the second [booster] dose before those will qualify for the bivalent dose,” Llacuna added.

Meanwhile, with the launch of bivalent vaccination in Cagayan de Oro City, the city government has fully supported the program. Hundreds of senior citizens have lined up for the third booster dose at the vaccination site.

As the campaign for the third booster dose commences, both DOH-10 and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro City urge all senior citizens to avail themselves of the program to protect them against COVID-19 further. (JAKA/PIA-10)