Finish clinical trials first before vaccinating minors – DOST
The Department of Science and Technology -led Task Group on Vaccine Evaluation and Selection wants clinical trials on COVID-19 vaccines to finish before approving the vaccination of children and teens under 18......»»
Pagasa debunks ‘three days of darkness’ hoax
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) dismissed claims that the Earth will experience three days of darkness due to passing the “Photon Belts” starting April 8 as false. The state weather and astronomy bureau said Friday there is no scientific evidence to support the claim. “DOST-PAGASA would like to.....»»
Late mishap drops Saso to joint 3rd with 66
Yuka Saso faltered at the finish, missing out on a share of the clubhouse lead and slipping to joint third with an eagle-boosted 66, trailing Canadian Maude-Aimee Leblanc by two at the start of the FIR Hills Seri Pak Championship.....»»
Constantino claims classic win on fiery last-day charge
Harmie Constantino fought back from five strokes down with a brilliant frontside 33 then held sway to finish with a 69 and win the ICTSI Palos Verdes Championship by three as her rivals faltered one after the other in a tense battle of skill and character here yesterday......»»
4 PH medicinal herbs for gout, pain relief pass clinical trials
MANILA, Philippines — Back in the 1970s, the government had a dream of providing cheap medicines for Filipinos, especially the poor, who are often left out of health care. Dr. Cecilia Lazarte, director of the Institute of Herbal Medicine of UP Manila’s National Institutes of Health, stressed in 2020 the importance of research on the.....»»
Valentine’s Day tips for talking about money as a couple
NEW YORK (AP) — Money might not be the most romantic topic for Valentine’s Day, but talking about finances with your significant other is a key element of a healthy relationship. Money problems are one of the most common reasons couples separate, said Emily Simonian, head of clinical learning at Thriveworks, a mental health company......»»
‘Things will progress’: Djokovic finds his groove in Australian Open
Dragged into dogfights in the first two rounds, Novak Djokovic finally gives a masterclass in clean and clinical tennis, picking apart Tomas Etcheverry in his 100th match at Melbourne Park.....»»
Delightful discovery: Wilbert Rossas a sensitive singer-songwriter
If you need (or want) to balance off JK Labajo’s roaring, moaning, shrieking, cussing singing in his latest blockbuster single “Ere”, go for Wilbert Ross’ EP album Lampara, recently released by Viva Music on major music platforms. An actor just like Labajo, Ross emotes pain, loss and acceptance of one’s dire straits with restrained anger and without cursing. Ross wrote four of the six songs in the album — none of which, by the way, is titled Lampara. The album’s title is really an announcement of Ross’ intention for his music and lyrics to be a guiding light for the multitude, so to speak. The album’s lead song is “Handa Ako,” which he performs serenely with indie singer Mika Salamanca. “Byahe Ng Buhay”, meanwhile, takes listeners on a lyrical journey through life’s ups and downs. “Dramatic Actor” combines melodious vocals with a touch of drama. “Benteng Ukit” could have been rendered in a frenetic, howling style, but, sorry, that’s not Ross’ style of singing. The song is about self-inflicted wounds, and Ross wrote it during a bout with clinical depression at the height of the pandemic. The two other cuts in the album are “Nakangiti” and “Andito Lang Ako.” It was as a contestant at ABS-CBN’s singing contests Tawag ng Tanghalan of It’s Showtime and Pinoy Boyband Superstar that Ross took his first steps into showbiz. He was in his teens, fresh from Davao, and still using the surname “Rosalyn,” which seems to be the surname of his stepfather. Ups and downs At the recent media launch for Lampara, Ross shared that his Chinese biological dad left the family during Ross’ childhood. His mom is Indonesian. His biological dad passed on two years ago, but Ross got to meet him as a grown-up once or twice. The tall, soft-spoken, very articulate (in Tagalog) Wilbert began to use “Ross” as a showbiz surname when he was recruited to join the second batch of the singing and dancing boy group Hashtags for It’s Showtime. Ross said he has been writing songs for years now and recording them as a soundtrack for some of his acting assignments, such as the Puregold supermarket chain’s web series Ang Lalake sa Likod ng Profile which ended last July. He has no love life at this point, he said, which seems to be a requirement in Pinoy showbiz to sustain interest in an actor’s career. And the stars have to write about the ups and downs of their romances on their social media accounts. Labajo’s shrieking songs of pain would have sounded senseless if he and ex-girlfriend beauty queen Maureen Wroblewitz did not publicly hint about the agonies wrought by their soured relationship on their social media accounts. Ross the actor also wants to be known as a singer-songwriter. He has a marked supporting role in Viva Films’ Nokturno, topbilled by Nadine Lustre. Viva submitted the movie for this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival but it failed to make the cut. There’s another singer-songwriter who roars and howls about her angst: Cool Cat Ash, whose real name is Ashley Aunor. She’s the daughter of Lala Aunor, a member of the “Apat na Sikat” group of teen idols in the ‘70s. Perfect timing It’s perfect timing that the QCinema International Film Festival is being held in November. The festival screens a good number of foreign films that were released to critical acclaim sometime this year or last year. The next big showbiz event that comes after it is the Metro Manila Film Festival, during which only Filipino movies are shown all over the country. The MMFF usually presents only eight films, but this year there are 10 official entries. Those who love foreign films can have their fill of world cinema (60 films this year!) before the MMFF fills the theaters with all-Filipino fare for 10 days during the holiday season. The QCinema International Film Festival, now on its 11th year, runs 17-29 November. The opening film is the Golden Lion winner in this year’s Venice Film Festival, Poor Things. The post Delightful discovery: Wilbert Rossas a sensitive singer-songwriter appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solon lambasts ‘conflict of interest’ as private firms leading ASF vaccine trials
A lawmaker on Wednesday grilled the Bureau of Animal Industry for allowing private suppliers to lead vaccine trials on African Swine Fever. In a Senate hearing on Wednesday, BAI Director Paul Limson admitted that they are just “monitoring” the field trials. Limson's remarks came after Senator Cynthia Villar mentioned that the BAI should be leading the trials to make more independent assessments of the vaccines. “Justify niyo nga sa akin bakit ninyo ginagawa, kasi ako nasho-shock (Can you justify it to me why are you not doing it because its shcoking me). You don't think there is a conflict of interest?" Villar, who chairs the Senate panel on agriculture, asked Limson. Limson cited the Food and Drug Administration guidelines stating that "the initiation, management, and or financing of clinical trials" is the responsibility of sponsors—these could be individuals, companies, institutions, or organizations. the FDA guidelines also allow sponsors to tap Contract Research Organizations to conduct the trials. Meanwhile, Villar also criticized the private suppliers of vaccines for apparently hastening the process even if there are no approved vaccines for ASF yet. She then suggested that the budget should be realigned first in the indemnification of hog raisers affected by the disease while waiting for the approval of ASF vaccines. The Department of Agriculture-BAI has earlier asked the Food and Drug Administration to certify a Vietnam-made ASF vaccine for its immediate distribution in the country. It was followed by the bureau’s endorsement to the FDA for the issuance of a Certificate of Product Registration—which will allow the commercial release of the vaccine in the country. On June 2, BAI Assistant Director Arlyn Vytiaco said they have recommended the AVAC doses—which have been proven "effective" - following the completion of safety and efficacy trials in at least six areas in Luzon. Vytiaco noted that 100 percent of the hogs who were vaccinated during the trials produced antibodies, and showed "no ill or side effects.” However, the BAI was still requesting the FDA for the CPR of the vaccine. The first ASF case was detected in the Philippines in 2019. Villar lamented that “lack of vaccine or effective treatment has made the control of the disease very challenging.” The post Solon lambasts ‘conflict of interest’ as private firms leading ASF vaccine trials appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Advancing OFWs’ welfare, protecting Filipinos abroad
Overseas Filipino Workers, or OFWs, are indeed modern-day heroes. They help boost our economy, but more importantly, they help uplift the lives of their families to give them a better future and also showcase Filipinos' talents, skills, and work ethic to the world. I was in London, United Kingdom last week for an official trip upon the invitation of the British Group Inter-Parliament Union. Led by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and co-head of delegation Senator Grace Poe, we embarked on several meetings aimed at strengthening relations of the Philippine Senate with our counterparts in the UK parliament to exchange best practices in policymaking while enhancing bilateral relations, fostering economic security, exploring areas of cooperation between the two countries, and promoting the welfare of Filipinos working there. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I also expressed my gratitude to the UK for donating vaccines during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, we thanked them for other development assistance extended by the UK to the Philippines and for their help in strengthening the Bangsamoro Region. As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, I also maximized the visit to highlight efforts in promoting the welfare of more than 200,000 OFWs in the UK, particularly the more or less 40,000 Filipino nurses working there. We were able to raise to the UK policymakers the concerns of Filipino nurses regarding their rights to proper benefits, just compensation, and a safe working environment. We should be proud of Filipino medical frontliners in the UK, particularly nurses who are among the world’s finest. Take, for example, May Parsons, a Filipina-British nurse who became known globally for administering the first COVID-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial and receiving the UK's George Cross Award. I have co-sponsored a Senate resolution earlier recognizing and commending her achievement. After our official meetings, I met with a group of OFWs, some of them were fellow Dabawenyos, Filipino Muslims, Ilonggos, and Ilocanos, among others. The stories they shared were proof of how resilient our OFWs are. Despite their sacrifices, homesickness, and worries about their families in their hometowns, they maintain their cheerfulness and positive outlook. I brought some good news to our OFWs by informing them about the establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) through Republic Act No. 11641, a legislation for which I am proud to be one of the authors and co-sponsors in the Senate. This measure streamlines the organization and functions of all government agencies related to overseas employment and migration to better address the needs and concerns of migrant workers. I have also filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2297 to institutionalize the OFW Hospital and ensure its continuous operation in San Fernando City, Pampanga, primarily intended for OFWs and eligible dependents. More importantly, a Malasakit Center is operational there to help reduce their out-of-pocket expenses. The establishment of the DMW, the OFW Hospital, and its own Malasakit Center are just a few of our dreams that are now realities for Filipinos to benefit from. These are testaments of our commitment to promote the welfare of migrant workers and their dependents. However, we acknowledge that there is more work to be done. That is why we continue to listen to their concerns, serve them to the best of our abilities, and pursue initiatives to further their cause. I have also filed SBN 2414, which seeks to establish OFW wards in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals if enacted into law. While our efforts continue to safeguard the welfare of Filipinos abroad, our commitment to serve Filipinos facing challenges in their communities remains unwavering. This week, we had groundbreaking ceremonies for Super Health Centers in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte; Brgy. Labangon in Cebu City; Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur; and in Tigbauan, Iloilo. Through the collective efforts of DOH, LGUs, and fellow lawmakers, we continue to advocate for establishing more community health facilities to help bring public health services closer to those needing medical attention. We have also assisted 1,000 indigents in Llanera, Nueva Ecija, with the office of Cong. Jose Padiernos; 500 members from various sectors in Barangay Mintal, Davao City; 1,900 in Caloocan City, with the office of Congresswoman Mitch Cajayon-Uy. In Cebu City, we also distributed aid to 1,700 residents of the South District with Congressman Edu Rama; 450 in Nagcarlan, Laguna, with Mayor Elmor Vita and Councilor Rey Comendador; and 333 in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental, in collaboration with the Malasakit@Bayanihan group. We also aided 1,000 United Senior Citizens Association members of Quezon City, with Congresswoman Mila Magsaysay, Senator Robin Padilla, and private sector volunteer organizations. My office also extended additional aid to 93 displaced workers in Lumban, Laguna; 210 in Pilar; 217 in Carmen and Batuan in Bohol. DOLE also gave qualified beneficiaries temporary employment. We also supported 200 scholars during their TESDA Orientation in Daet, Camarines Norte. There are also 43 residents of Davao City and nine in La Paz, Agusan del Sur, who were victims of fires and 32 victims of flooding in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat. They were provided separate assistance and the livelihood kits they received through the DTI program, which we advocated for before and continue to support. We also supported 283 victims of past fires in Cagayan de Oro City by giving separate aid in addition to the emergency housing assistance received from the NHA through a program we pushed for so that they could buy materials like nails, roofing, and other necessities for home repairs. My office also provided immediate help to victims of recent fires, such as 50 families in Baseco, Manila City, and 11 families in Brgy. Alabang, Muntinlupa City. No one is exempt from facing life’s hardships. However, our OFWs have shown us how resilient Filipinos can be. Let us learn from them and, more importantly, do our part in uplifting their lives by advocating for their welfare, promoting their rights, protecting their families, and providing the genuine public service they deserve. The post Advancing OFWs’ welfare, protecting Filipinos abroad appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DOH chief seeks higher pay for psychologists, psychiatrists
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa yesterday urged the Civil Service Commission to review the requirements being asked of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists in order to practice their profession......»»
PSAC paves way for health deal
The Private Sector Advisory Council from the Healthcare Sector, or PSAC-Health, with the Department of Health, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc., signed a memorandum of agreement with President Bongbong Marcos as a witness to facilitate employment for underboard BS Nursing students. During their degree, these students will become CHED-certified and work as Clinical Care Associates in healthcare industries. “The Clinical Care Associates Upskilling Program, formalized through the Joint Administrative Order 2023-0001, is a groundbreaking endeavor, and I am confident that it’s a program that will help address the lives of healthcare workers in the country today,” President Marcos said. PSAC-Health has worked with DOH, 55 private hospitals, seven public hospitals, and CHED, along with 19 Higher Education Institutions, to implement the Joint Administrative Order in response to the country’s critical shortage of qualified nurses. “To the underboard nurses out there who are contemplating what to do next: I call on you to apply for this program and embrace the support being wholeheartedly given to you by the government and the institutions we represent,” Marcos added. Strategic interventions implementor “The Commission commits to working with other government agencies and PSAC to implement all the strategic interventions that President Bongbong Marcos approved in a whole-of-government and whole-of-the-nation approach,” said CHED Chairman Julian Prospero de Vera III. “I am confident that this policy would be extremely impactful as it addresses the problems and obstacles and allows our current registered nurses to focus more on high-value-added roles and functions,” PSAC Healthcare Sector Lead Paolo Borromeo said. On 19 July 2023, Chairman Prospero de Vera III of CHED and Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa ceremonially signed and launched JAO 2023-0001, also known as the “Implementing Guidelines for the Nurse Workforce Complementation and Upskilling Program for Clinical Care Associates. “This landmark initiative resulted from a collaborative effort between the government and the Private Sector Advisory Council Healthcare Sector Group.” Implementing the JAO showcases the power of government and private sector collaboration. The PSAC-Health has played a vital role in shaping the Nurse Workforce Complementation and Upskilling Program, ensuring its alignment with the vision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration. Leading hospitals and higher education institutions, including Healthway Medical Network, Metro Pacific Hospitals Inc., Mt. Grace Hospitals Inc. and the Philippine Private Hospitals Association Inc. have pledged their commitment to the Clinical Care Associates program by participating in the MOU signing event. Higher education institutions such as Our Lady of Fatima University, Far Eastern University, St. Paul University Philippines, Trinity University of Asia, National Teachers College and National University are also pivotal partners in shaping the future of healthcare in the Philippines through this program. The post PSAC paves way for health deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PSAC paves way for agreement with DOH, CHED, and PHAPi with PBBM
The Private Sector Advisory Council from the Healthcare Sector (PSAC-Health), together with the Department of Health (DOH), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPi), signed a memorandum of agreement with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as a witness to facilitate employment for underboard BS Nursing students. During their degree, these students will become CHED-certified and work as Clinical Care Associates in healthcare industries. “The Clinical Care Associates Upskilling Program, formalized through the Joint Administrative Order [2023-0001], is a groundbreaking endeavor, and I am confident that it’s a program that will help address the lives of healthcare workers in the country today,” President Marcos said. PSAC-Health has worked with DOH, 55 private hospitals, seven public hospitals, and CHED, along with 19 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), to implement the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) in response to the country's critical shortage of qualified nurses. “To the underboard nurses out there who are contemplating what to do next: I call on you to apply for this program and embrace the support being wholeheartedly given to you by the government and the institutions we represent,” Marcos added. "The Commission commits to working with other government agencies and PSAC to implement all the strategic interventions that President Bongbong Marcos approved in a whole-of-government and whole-of-the-nation approach," said CHED Chairman Julian Prospero De Vera III. “I am confident that this policy would be extremely impactful as it addresses the problems and obstacles and allows our current registered nurses to focus more on high-value-added roles and functions,” said PSAC Healthcare Sector Lead Paolo Borromeo. On 19 July 2023, Chairman Prospero De Vera III of CHED and Secretary of Health Dr. Teodoro Herbosa ceremonially signed and launched JAO No. 2023-0001, also known as the "Implementing Guidelines for the Nurse Workforce Complementation and Upskilling Program for Clinical Care Associates (CCAs)." This landmark initiative results from a collaborative effort between the government and the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Healthcare Sector Group. Implementing the JAO showcases the power of government and private sector collaboration. The PSAC-Health has played a vital role in shaping the Nurse Workforce Complementation and Upskilling Program, ensuring its alignment with the vision of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s administration. Leading hospitals and higher education institutions, including Healthway Medical Network (HMN), Metro Pacific Hospitals Inc. (MPHI), Mt. Grace Hospitals Inc., and the Philippine Private Hospitals Association Inc. (PPHAPI), have pledged their commitment to the Clinical Care Associates program by participating in the MOU signing event. Higher education institutions such as Our Lady of Fatima University, Far Eastern University, St. Paul University Philippines, Trinity University of Asia, National Teachers College, and National University are also pivotal partners in shaping the future of healthcare in the Philippines through this program. [caption id="attachment_191577" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Private Sector Advisory Council Lead Convenor Sabin Aboitiz (left) with President Marcos and PSAC Healthcare Sector leads[/caption] The post PSAC paves way for agreement with DOH, CHED, and PHAPi with PBBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Healthcare professionals essential to better healthcare system — PBBM
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said that healthcare professionals are critical to the success of the government's goal of overcoming the handicaps of the healthcare system. During the launching of the Clinical Care Associates Upskilling Program at the President's Hall in Malacañan Palace, Marcos emphasized the importance of addressing the nursing shortage in the country. "It is important that we meet their needs and the need for more of them swiftly," the President said. He also called on underboard nurses to apply for the program and embrace the support being wholeheartedly given to them by the government and the institutions that it represents. "We will continue striving until such a time that our Filipino professionals choose to work in their own country, and be known for providing excellent service here at home, just as much as we are known for being exemplary healthcare providers in the rest of the world," the President said. Under the CCA Upskilling Program, underboard nurses will be allowed to work in hospitals and other healthcare institutions while attending tutorials and classes to review for the Nurse Licensure Examination. The program collaborates with the government, the private sector, and higher education institutions. Marcos Jr. said that the CCA Upskilling Program is a testament to the government's commitment to improving the healthcare system in the country. He also thanked the Private Sector Advisory Council Healthcare Sector Group for their participation in the formulation of the program. "The CCA Upskilling Program is a groundbreaking endeavor that will help address the life of healthcare workers in the country today," President Marcos said. "It will also reaffirm the unified efforts of our agencies, hospitals, and higher education institutions to prepare our nursing graduates for their board exams and their chosen career paths," Marcos added. The post Healthcare professionals essential to better healthcare system — PBBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Healthcare professionals, essential to better healthcare system — PBBM
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said that healthcare professionals are critical to the success of the government's goal of overcoming the handicaps of the healthcare system. During the launching of the Clinical Care Associates Upskilling Program at the President's Hall in Malacañan Palace, Marcos emphasized the importance of addressing the nursing shortage in the country. "It is important that we meet their needs and the need for more of them swiftly," the President said. He also called on underboard nurses to apply for the program and embrace the support being wholeheartedly given to them by the government and the institutions that it represents. "We will continue striving until such a time that our Filipino professionals choose to work in their own country, and be known for providing excellent service here at home, just as much as we are known for being exemplary healthcare providers in the rest of the world," the President said. Under the CCA Upskilling Program, underboard nurses will be allowed to work in hospitals and other healthcare institutions while attending tutorials and classes to review for the Nurse Licensure Examination. The program collaborates with the government, the private sector, and higher education institutions. Marcos Jr. said that the CCA Upskilling Program is a testament to the government's commitment to improving the healthcare system in the country. He also thanked the Private Sector Advisory Council Healthcare Sector Group for their participation in the formulation of the program. "The CCA Upskilling Program is a groundbreaking endeavor that will help address the life of healthcare workers in the country today," President Marcos said. "It will also reaffirm the unified efforts of our agencies, hospitals, and higher education institutions to prepare our nursing graduates for their board exams and their chosen career paths," Marcos added. The post Healthcare professionals, essential to better healthcare system — PBBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Brain implants could restore paralyzed patients’ arm movements
A paralyzed Swiss man has become the first person to test a new technology that reads his thoughts using AI and then transmits signals through his own nervous system to his arms, hands and fingers in order to restore movement. The treatment, a combination of a brain-computer interface and a spinal implant, had previously allow a paraplegic patient to walk again, a breakthrough that was published in the scientific journal Nature in May. But this is the first time it's being used for "upper extremity function," Onward, the Dutch company behind it, said Wednesday. "The mobility of the arm is more complex," surgeon Jocelyne Bloch, who carried out the implantation procedures, told AFP. Though walking comes with its own challenges -- notably balance -- "the musculature of the hand is quite fine, with many different small muscles activated at the same time for certain movements," she said. The patient, who wishes to remain anonymous, is a 46-year-old who lost the use of his arms after a fall. Two operations were carried out last month at the Lausanne University Hospital in Switzerland. The first involved removing a small piece of cranial bone and inserting in its place the brain implant, which was developed by the French group CEA-Clinatec and measures a few centimeters in diameter. In the second, surgeons placed a stimulator roughly the size of a credit card developed by Onward inside the patient's abdomen, and connected it through electrodes to the top of his spinal column. The brain-computer interface (BCI) records brain signals and decodes them using artificial intelligence to make sense of the patient's intentions, acting as a "digital bridge" to send these instructions on to the spinal cord stimulator. "It's going well so far," said Bloch, who co-founded Onward and is a consultant for the company. "We are able to record brain activity, and we know that the stimulation works," she said. "But it is too early to talk about what progress he has made. " Still in training The patient is still in the training phase, teaching his brain implant to recognize the different desired movements. The movements will then have to be practiced many times before they can become natural. The process will take a few months, according to Dr. Bloch. Two more patients are scheduled to participate in this clinical trial, and the full results will be published later. Spinal cord stimulation has already been used in the past to successfully move paralyzed patients' arms, but without reading their thoughts by pairing it with a brain implant. And brain implants have already been used so that a patient can control an exoskeleton. The Battelle research organization used a brain implant to restore movement in a patient's arm -- through a sleeve of electrodes placed on the forearm, stimulating the muscles required from above. "Onward is unique in our focus on restoring movement in people who have paralysis by stimulating the spinal cord," the company's CEO Dave Marver told AFP, adding the technology could be commercialized by the end of the decade. Brain implants were long trapped in the realm of science fiction, but the field is now rapidly growing thanks to firms like Synchron and Elon Musk's Neuralink. They are working on having paralyzed patients to control computers through thought, restoring for example the ability to write. The post Brain implants could restore paralyzed patients’ arm movements appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Understanding the silent threat
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, another deadly virus has emerged globally, casting a shadow of fear and concern. The Nipah virus, often overshadowed by its more notorious counterparts, has garnered attention due to its alarming fatality rate and potential for large-scale outbreaks. First identified in 1999, when it caused an outbreak in Malaysia and Singapore, the virus was named after the village of Sungai Nipah in Malaysia, where it was initially discovered. It primarily affects both animals and humans. The primary mode of transmission of the Nipah virus is through direct contact with infected bats or their contaminated excretions, such as saliva or urine. Human-to-human transmission is also possible through close contact with infected individuals’ respiratory secretions or bodily fluids. The virus can be transmitted through contaminated fruits, particularly date palm sap, which has been a common source of outbreaks in South Asia. Nipah virus infection can manifest as a range of clinical presentations, from asymptomatic or mild flu-like symptoms to severe encephalitis. Early symptoms may include fever, headache, dizziness, and nausea, making diagnosis challenging in the initial stages. Patients can develop severe respiratory issues and neurological symptoms as the disease progresses, leading to coma and death. Alarmingly, Nipah virus infections have been known to have fatality rates ranging from 40 percent to 75 percent, significantly higher than Covid-19. Nipah virus outbreaks have predominantly occurred in South and Southeast Asia, particularly in Bangladesh, India, and Malaysia. These regions are home to fruit bats, the natural reservoir of the virus. While sporadic outbreaks have been reported, the virus’s potential for human-to-human transmission poses a serious public health threat. It’s crucial to understand that comparing the Nipah virus to Covid-19 is not a matter of declaring one deadlier. These viruses differ significantly in transmission, scale, and global impact. However, it is essential to highlight the unique challenges posed by Nipah virus outbreaks. As mentioned earlier, the Nipah virus has a significantly higher fatality rate than Covid-19. While Covid-19 has caused immense suffering and loss of life globally due to its wide transmission, Nipah virus outbreaks are associated with higher mortality rates among those infected, making it a deadlier prospect for affected communities. Nipah is primarily spread through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials, limiting its potential for a pandemic on the scale of Covid-19. However, the virus’ high fatality rate and human-to-human transmission potential make it a concerning localized threat. Covid-19 has led to unprecedented global efforts to contain its spread, including the development of vaccines in record time. In contrast, Nipah has received less attention and funding, which raises concerns about the world’s preparedness to respond effectively to potential outbreaks. Given the potential severity of Nipah virus outbreaks, it is crucial to take proactive measures to prevent and control its spread. Although infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontgene Solante, who is also the president of the Philippine College of Physicians, has said that there is nothing to fear about the zoonotic disease, establishing a robust surveillance system to monitor potential outbreaks is essential. Early detection allows for the swift isolation of infected individuals and the implementation of public health measures. Raising public awareness of the risks associated with handling bats or consuming date palm sap without proper precautions can also reduce the chances of transmission. While no licensed vaccines are available yet, progress in this area could significantly improve our ability to combat the virus. The Nipah virus may not be capturing global headlines like Covid-19, but its potential for devastation cannot be underestimated. With a high fatality rate and the ability to spread from person to person, potential Nipah virus outbreaks demand our attention and preparedness. While Covid-19 has dominated our lives for the past few years, we must remain vigilant and proactive to understand and combat other deadly infectious diseases like the Nipah virus. The lessons we have learned from the Covid-19 pandemic can help us respond more effectively to future health threats, whether known or yet to be discovered. The post Understanding the silent threat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DFA: No Filipino casualties in Libya floods
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said that there were no reported Filipino casualties in the destructive floods in Libya that displaced at least 30,000 individuals. “There are no reported Filipino casualties,” the DFA said citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Libya. According to the DFA, there are an estimated 1,100 Filipinos in eastern Libya, of which 90 are residing in the areas badly hit by Storm Daniel. There are also 30 Filipinos in the district of Dema, 50 in the district of Jabel al Akhdar, and 10 in Tobruk. “The Filipinos in these areas are mostly nurses and clinical instructors,” the agency said. The Philippine Embassy in Libya, in coordination with the Filipino community leaders in the affected areas, said that Filipinos were relocated to higher grounds by hospital management. “The Filipinos, as nurses continue to work in hospitals,” it said. The agency said communication is difficult as electricity has not been restored in most areas. “Tripoli PE (Philippine Embassy) has reached out to the Filipino community leaders there and continues to monitor developments in regard to the disaster,” it said. More than 2,000 bodies have already recovered from the areas affected by the flood, the death toll is expected to increase as at least 10,000 individuals are reportedly still missing. The post DFA: No Filipino casualties in Libya floods appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
COVID’s back: Here’s what you need to know
As colder weather sets in, COVID rates are once more rising across the Northern Hemisphere, with several new variants on the scene. Here's what you need to know. Covid versus seasonal nasties? The COVID pandemic extracted a terrible toll, with nearly seven million deaths worldwide. But thanks to vaccines, prior immunity, and better treatments, the virus is now far more manageable. In the United States, excess deaths -- the total number of people dying for any given cause -- has been normal since spring. "If you asked me to choose between getting flu and COVID, I would pick COVID because each individual case of flu is more dangerous," said Ashish Jha, a former White House COVID coordinator and dean of public health at Brown University. But while COVID is now less deadly to individuals, "it also seems to have higher rates of long-term complications." COVID is also less seasonal than the flu, more contagious, and over the last three US winters peaked from December to January, while flu peaks later. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, placed COVID "on par" with flu and RSV, but stressed it was more severe than the common cold. To boost or not to boost? Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax have developed new vaccines that more closely target current variants, all offshoots of Omicron which became dominant in late 2021. There is broad consensus that annual boosters will benefit the most vulnerable. But whether they bring added value to everyone is debated. Nearly everyone has already been infected, studies show. And prior infections combined with vaccines have trained immune systems to stop severe outcomes even when they can't ward off infection. One-size-fits-all recommendations no longer make sense, and could decrease trust in public health, said Monica Gandhi, author of "Endemic: A Post-Pandemic Playbook." For example, the mRNA vaccines of Pfizer and Moderna carry small risks of heart inflammation in younger men. European nations advise annual shots only for higher-risk groups, but some experts don't see downsides in wider recommendations. "People at low risk still derive benefit from boosters," said Ziyad Al-Aly, an epidemiologist at Washington University in St. Louis. The United States recommends that nearly everyone get annual COVID shots. Are masks still useful? Experts diverge on this subject, one of the most controversial of the pandemic. A review of clinical trial data by the respected nonprofit Cochrane on whether promoting mask-wearing helped slow respiratory viruses found inconclusive results. Whether broad mandates have a significant effect, therefore, hasn't been proven. What researchers do know -- thanks to lab experiments -- is that well-fitted, high-caliber masks such as N-95s protect individuals. "Individuals can therefore choose to wear well-fitted and filtered masks indoors to provide personal protection from respiratory pathogens," said Gandhi, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco -- though she believes in vaccines to prevent severe disease, including among the high-risk. Test, or go to work? Experts agree that it makes sense for people at risk -- the elderly and those with conditions such as cancer, obesity, and diabetes -- to test when they have symptoms. That's because these groups "would benefit from antiviral therapy within the five-day window," said Adaja. The most prominent treatment is Paxlovid, which has been shown to reduce the risk of severe disease and death among high-risk people. Some health systems have decided testing at-risk people is all that's needed. "Most people no longer need to take a coronavirus test. To prevent the spread of infection, you should try to stay at home if you're unwell," says the UK's National Health System. What about long COVID? Research around long COVID -- symptoms that linger for weeks or months -- remains nebulous and hampered by a lack of standardized definitions for a condition that has multiple causes, said Adalja. Al-Aly estimates prevalence at between 4 to 7 percent, or 65 million people worldwide. "Unfortunately, we have not made progress on treating long Covid. This should be an urgent priority for research," he said. It does appear that prior vaccination reduces the risk of long COVID and that the condition is correlated with the severity of infection. The US government has funded several trials into the condition, with one recent study finding a diabetes drug called metformin reduced the risk of ongoing symptoms by 40 percent. Jha said he was hopeful of more data on treatments in the coming months. The post COVID’s back: Here’s what you need to know appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mapúa leads health sciences studies in Mindanao
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics states that employment in the healthcare field is projected to grow by 13 percent from 2021 to 2031. [caption id="attachment_172840" align="aligncenter" width="777"] MAPÚA MCM College of Health Sciences boast of immersive simulation where students can work on 3D anatomical models.[/caption] This increase indicates the creation of two million jobs over a span of 10 years, a much higher than the average for all occupations. With this, students who wish to pursue a career in the medical field have a plethora of options waiting for them locally and abroad. Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao establishes its mastery in the said field through its College of Health Sciences. Programs include BS Biology, BS Psychology, BS Pharmacy, and BS Physical Therapy. Opportunities provided to students encompass global learning, advanced research,and digital technology. Mapúa MCM’s College of Health Sciences has collaborated with Arizona State University to hone pre-med students to be globally ready, be proficient with advanced and immersive facilities and digital mastery. Arizona State University is ranked #1 in the US innovation ahead of MIT and Stanford for eight consecutive years by U.S. News and World Report. ASU is also among the top one percent of universities worldwide, ranked by the Center for World University Ranking 2022-2023 and among the top 150 universities worldwide by the Shanghai Ranking, 2022. MAPÚA MCM College of Health Sciences is one of the few schools in the region that boasts of immersive simulation rooms where students can work on 3D anatomical models, virtual dissection tables and human body projections via AI. But above and beyond technological innovations, MAPÚA MCM College of Health Sciences ensures that their students are anchored on solid ethics and human values through hands-on experience and real-world exposure. Its students undergo internships in hospitals, clinics and community centers where they learn about promotion, prevention, treatment and intervention as they get to interact with real patients. “The medical field is an ever-evolving industry, and the demand for healthcare workers is stronger now than ever. We build our capacity to address this gap through a collaboration with the Healthway network, wherein we streamline the career path of our students — from school to internships and hands-on clinical rotations, straight to career opportunities,” Dr. Adorico M. Aya-ay, dean of the MAPÚA MCM College of Health Sciences, said. MAPÚA MCM also substantiates its faculty members by sending them to train and seminars abroad to learn from experts worldwide. The post Mapúa leads health sciences studies in Mindanao appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Top three ways to improve well-being through music
With or without lyrics, music is the universal language of the soul. It transcends forms and boundaries and speaks within our deepest humanity. To be in sync with harmony calls for self-reflection, self-regulation and self-expression. It increases motivation and happiness. When shared through experiences, it even harnesses meaningful relationships. [caption id="attachment_171002" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Janine Marie Flores,part-time faculty under the Music Production Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Arts, Culture, and Performance.[/caption] Janine Marie Flores, a professor in the Music Production Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Arts, Culture, and Performance (SACP), stresses how music can enhance one’s mental, emotional, physical and social well-being. “It has many therapeutic effects,” she states. “It can assist, manage and reduce stress, decrease anxiety. It may increase self-esteem, strengthen coping skills and more.” Through music therapy, a clinical and evidence -based treatment, individuals can maximize the power of the art to improve their holistic wellness. With the guidance of a credentialed professional, objectives are tailored and specific needs are met. To further encourage the general public to utilize the wonders of melody for their overall health, Flores, who is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Music, major in Music Therapy, at Saint Paul University Manila, shares the top three tips one can explore in their day-to-day life. [caption id="attachment_171001" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Choose songs that resonate with your current state or can influence your desired state. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF DLSC-SB[/caption] Create a playlist. Specific types of music bring out certain emotional responses. This may be similar or different from one person to the other. Some may feel calm listening to rock or pop music, others find solace in ballads or jazz. Identify feelings brought by particular genres. Use these to manifest calmness, improve the mood, spark creativity or inspire movement. If you want to shift from being upset to feeling happy, start with sad songs. Then, add happy-themed songs to change the mood into a more positive one. Sing. Singing releases endorphins and oxytocin, the “feel-good hormones.” It helps relieve pain, alleviate anxiety and stress, and boost mood. It also eases muscle tensions, corrects posture and refines breathing. It improves our lung capacity as we need to take deep breaths in order to sing properly. The act may even sharpen mental alertness, boost our confidence, increase our socialization skills and develop more friendships. [caption id="attachment_171004" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Songwriting helps us process and regulate our emotions, boost self-expression, relieve stress and increase self-esteem.[/caption] Write songs. Interpreting difficult circumstances through music fosters self-expression, stress relief, and self-esteem. You can write music with or without words and improvise with various sounds and rhythmic patterns. This allows one to acknowledge, process and regulate emotions. Substitute your own words for lyrics. Play an instrument with an unplanned melody. Create a new tune. The post Top three ways to improve well-being through music appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»