Latest news with #TeodoroHerbosa
Arab News
13 hours ago
- General
- Arab News
Philippines sees 500% increase in HIV cases among young people
MANILA: The number of young Filipinos infected with HIV has increased by 500 percent, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said on Tuesday, as he called for a national public health emergency to be declared. The Philippines has been facing the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Western Pacific region due to the continuous rise in infections. Health officials have been recording around 56 new cases daily since the beginning of April, a total of 5,101. The latest figure is approximately 50 percent higher than during the same period last year. 'We've seen a 500 percent increase in HIV cases among those aged 15 to 25. In fact, the youngest person diagnosed was just 12 years old, in the province of Palawan,' Herbosa said in a video statement. 'Based on our data, we now have the highest number of new cases in the Western Pacific region. What's frightening is the high number of new cases among our youth.' The Philippines saw a 543 percent increase in new infections between 2010 and 2023, according to the UNAIDS global report released in November. There are currently 148,831 active HIV cases in the country, which has a population of 117 million. While the spread of HIV has slowed drastically in many parts of the world since the epidemic's peak in 1995, infections have been rising steeply for over a decade in the Philippines. Officials recorded 48 daily cases on average last year, compared to 21 in 2014. The government has warned that if the current trend continues, the number of people living with HIV could more than double. 'If we don't stop the increase in HIV cases, we could reach over 400,000 people living with HIV … It would be better to declare a public health emergency or national emergency for HIV, so that the entire society and government can work together in this campaign to reduce new cases,' said Herbosa. Though screening for the virus and treatment is free in state-run clinics, stigma surrounding HIV continues to be a major barrier for many Filipinos. Only 55 percent of those living with the virus in the Philippines have been diagnosed, according to government data, while only 66 percent of those are on lifesaving antiretroviral therapy. 'Some people are afraid to get tested,' Herbosa said. 'We now also have HIV self-test kits in the Philippines, and I hope these self-test kits are used, especially to address the stigma.'
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
DOH renews call for vape ban, sin tax hike
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Saturday reiterated their call to ban vape products and increase taxes on tobacco products as the country marked World "No Tobacco Day" and "National No Smoking Month." During the event held at the Philippine Heart Center, Herbosa reminded the public about the health risks of smoking, such as atherosclerosis, which may lead to heart attacks or strokes. This, as Herbosa shared that he was previously a smoker but had changed his mind after seeing his father bear the effects of smoking. 'After he died, I decided to go cold turkey… that means I also have the genes to develop lung cancer. If my dad dies of [it], I'm sure I'm going [to get] lung [cancer too], so I went cold turkey,' Herbosa shared. 'Doing cold turkey is not a common thing. I realized mas maraming bumabalik (that there are more people that return)…. We shouldn't hate the people that are smoking. We should hate the people who sell cigarettes and vaping to our children,' he added. Herbosa said that he will continue to push for the ban on vaping, similar to Singapore and Vietnam. "I think we should tell them to stop vaping. Bahala na siya what action they will take, because the law prohibits that,' he said. Health warning The Health Secretary also called on legislators to prioritize steps in mitigating smoking and recommended the use of plain paper packaging for nicotine products and an increase in sin tax. 'The graphic health warning [in cigarette boxes]… It doesn't help anymore. There are studies in other countries, they found that plain paper packaging was a better option kasi hindi siya attractive (because it wasn't attractive,) so parang walang gusto bumili kasi it's just a box,' Herbosa explained. 'We should also increase the tax. Why? Because the 29% prevalence [of smoking] before went down to 19%. It's [now] back to 24%, plus the people that vape. Yun ang problema eh (that is the problem)," said Herbosa. Advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Philippines and the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP), in a statement on Saturday, also urged the congress to implement bills that strip tobacco products of their marketing appeal. The groups asked legislators to push for plain, uniform brown packaging with 90% graphic warnings on cigarettes. They also pushed for stricter regulations on Electronic Smoking Devices (ESDs). 'We cannot allow packaging to deceive our youth into addiction… This bill is about saving lives, and we are calling on our new lawmakers to act now. Every day of delay allows the industry to continue targeting children with colorful lies. Standardized Packaging is proven. It works, and it sends a message: no more manipulation, no more lies,' said ASH Philippines Executive Director Dr. Maricar Limpin. 'We see the damage tobacco and vaping cause every day. The lung insults are alarming and spare no one… Standardized packaging will help deglamorize these products and discourage young users before they become our next critical care patients,' added PCCP President Dr. Jubert Benedicto. —Jiselle Anne Caucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
DOH suspends new fees for registration of health products
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday called on the Department of Health (DOH) to approve the immediate suspension of increased fees for facility registration and certificate of product registration for health products. The Department of Health (DOH) suspended the implementation of adjusted regulatory fees and charges for facility registration and Certificates of Product Registration (CPR) for health products. In an advisory, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced the 60-day suspension of Administrative Order No. 2024-0016, which contains the details of the adjusted fees. The FDA earlier sought a temporary halt to the order "to assess certain provisions of the AO in coordination with the FDA's concerned centers." The recommendation was made in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directives to ease the burden on businesses and improve access to medicine. According to an earlier statement, FDA said it would continue to advocate for a 'fair, transparent, and aligned' efforts for healthcare regulation. FDA Director General Paolo Teston noted that any increase in regulatory fees must be supported by visible improvements in service delivery and operational efficiency. 'Mahigpit ngayong nagtutulungan ang DOH at FDA sa mga kinauukulang partido upang matiyak na ang anumang binago o bagong bayarin ay kinakailangan,' DOH said. (The DOH and FDA are closely coordinating with concerned parties to ensure any changes or adjusted fees are needed.) —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
WHO members adopt landmark Pandemic Agreement in World Health Assembly
Member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday formally adopted by consensus the world's first Pandemic Agreement, announced the United Nations (UN) health body in a statement. The agreement aims to ensure countries work together for effective prevention, preparation, and response to future pandemics. 'The landmark decision by the 78th World Health Assembly culminates more than three years of intensive negotiations launched by governments in response to the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and driven by the goal of making the world safer from – and more equitable in response to – future pandemics,' read the statement. 'The world is safer today thanks to the leadership, collaboration, and commitment of our Member States to adopt the historic WHO Pandemic Agreement', Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said. 'The agreement is a victory for public health, science and multilateral action. It will ensure we, collectively, can better protect the world from future pandemic threats. It is also a recognition by the international community that our citizens, societies and economies must not be left vulnerable to again suffer losses like those endured during COVID-19', he said. Also Read:India saw 164 Covid cases since May 12; Centre on alert amid fresh wave in Asia The WHO Pandemic Agreement sets out the principles, approaches and tools for better international coordination across a range of areas, in order to strengthen the global health architecture for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. This includes through the equitable and timely access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. The steps to be taken for countries mentioned in the agreement for implementation of the Agreement includes launching a process to draft and negotiate a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS) through an Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG). The treaty guarantees that countries which share virus samples will receive tests, medicines and vaccines. According to the agreement, pharmaceutical manufacturers participating in the PABS system will play a key role in equitable and timely access to pandemic-related health products by making available to WHO 'rapid access targeting 20% of their real time production of safe, quality and effective vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics for the pathogen causing the pandemic emergency.' The distribution of these products to countries will be carried out on basis of public health risk and need, with particular attention to the needs of developing countries. 'Starting during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments from all corners of the world acted with great purpose, dedication and urgency, and in doing so exercising their national sovereignty, to negotiate the historic WHO Pandemic Agreement that has been adopted today,' said Teodoro Herbosa, secretary, Philippines department of health, and president of this year's World Health Assembly, who presided over the Agreement's adoption. 'Now that the agreement has been brought to life, we must all act with the same urgency to implement its critical elements, including systems to ensure equitable access to life-saving pandemic-related health products. As COVID was a once-in-a-lifetime emergency, the WHO Pandemic Agreement offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build on lessons learned from that crisis and ensure people worldwide are better protected if a future pandemic emerges.'
Filipino Times
29-03-2025
- Health
- Filipino Times
DOH raises alarm as measles cases surge to 1,185, urges vaccination
The Department of Health (DOH) has urged parents to have their children vaccinated against measles following a rise in cases across the country. From January 1 to March 15 this year, the DOH recorded 1,185 measles cases, a 27 percent increase from the 930 cases reported in the same period last year, Philippine News Agency reported. The highest number of cases was recorded in the National Capital Region (NCR) with 295, followed by Central Luzon with 150 and Calabarzon with 144. The DOH noted that 802 of the total cases, or 68 percent, involved children who had not received any measles vaccine. To curb the spread of the disease, the DOH is intensifying its immunization efforts. Routine vaccination is ongoing for children aged 0 to 12 months, while a catch-up immunization program is being conducted for children aged 13 to 59 months who missed their scheduled doses. 'Routine immunization is underway in all regions for children aged 0 to 12 months to protect them from various diseases, including measles. Under this campaign, the first dose of measles vaccine is given on the ninth month and the second dose on the 12th month,' Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a statement. Parents are encouraged to visit their nearest health center to check their child's vaccination schedule. 'Go to the nearest health center to learn the vaccination schedule. Safe and effective vaccines are still the best way to protect against the disease and its complications,' Herbosa added. The government has also launched an intensified measles immunization program called 'Bakunahan sa Purok ni Juan' in selected cities, including Caloocan, Quezon, Taguig, Manila, Mandaluyong, and Las Piñas. Malacañang is urging parents to participate in this initiative to prevent further outbreaks.
