“What greater blow can an insensitive government give to the suffering people than privatizing the only public orthopedic hospital where the poor run for treatment?” – Emma Manuel, Alliance of Health Workers
“The government should stop making alibis and stop using scholars and poor patients to justify the lump sum and discretionary funds like the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). Is cutting the budget for government hospitals now called ‘underspending’ and ‘savings’ generation?” – Alliance of Health Workers
By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL Northern Dispatch LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Benguet officials resolved to petition the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) to ban the herbicide gramoxone (paraquat) in the Philippines following reports of increasing cases of poisoning in the province. During the provincial peace and order council meeting October 3, Benguet Governor Nestor B. Fongwan, local…
“The Philippine Children’s Medical Center is a government hospital. The land it has been occupying is government land and the government is now asking us to pay for the land. Is that just?”
“Whether De la Cruz joined the NPA after his release or not is his personal choice. That does not in any way change the facts of the case. The military illegally arrested, detained and tortured the 43 health workers, period.” — Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general
Toxicologist Dr. Romeo Quijano said no safety testing, which includes laboratory feeding studies, has been conducted before the field testing commenced. “Problems have yet to be resolved such as sub-chronic and chronic health effects or allergenicity and toxicity.
See also: Golden rice, not the solution to Vitamin A deficiency
Farmers, scientists and advocates believe that golden rice is but a “simplistic, techno-fix solution” to the prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency and there are other sustainable measures that have no negative impact on human health and the environment.
The rate of prevalence of underweight children, with ages zero to five years old, remained unchanged at 20.2 percent in 2005 and 2011. The rate of prevalence of stunted growth increased from 33.1 percent in 2005 to 33.6 percent in 2011. The number of wasting children, also with ages zero to five, increased from 5.8 percent in 2005 to 7.3 percent in 2011.
“When I finally saw a doctor, I was told that I only have four to five years to live. Some PLHIVs who I knew back then have died because of the disease. But I am still alive because of the support and love of my children and my family.”
Read Also: Church people call for understanding, love, support for people living with HIV
How is HIV transmitted?
While HIV prevalence in the country is low at 0.04 percent, there is a notable increase in new cases since 2007.