ILOILO City – Aside from campaigning for safe New Year celebrations, the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 is also asking the public to watch out for sweet and high-cholesterol food to avoid high blood pressure and elevated sugar.
According to registered nurse Rodnie I. Gonzales, Health Education Promotion Officer (HEPO) II and head of the Communications Management Unit of DOH-6, while everyone wants to enjoy this time of the year, we must also be mindful of safety.
The health bureau advocates for holding communal fireworks displays, managed by the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police, to avoid fireworks-related injuries.
But one important reminder from DOH-6 is about food consumption.
“This time, damo ang foods, damo sweets, and ang star sang media noche will be the lechon. So, we should be mindful man sang aton ginakaon kay indi lang palupok ang aton gina-watch out, pero ang aton altapresyon, ang aton sugar kay nami magkaon sang leche flan, salad, and pasta, so be mindful of our Pinggang Pinoy,” said Gonzales.
Dr. Fritzi Ann Suzette Jeroso-Dequito, Health Promotion Unit head of DOH-6, meanwhile, urged the public to observe “Healthy Handaan, Healthy Celebration, and Iwas Paputok.”
“These healthy behaviors or habits will be included sa aton New Year resolution nga indeed, for the next year, we will focus on having a healthy diet, a healthy celebration, and, of course, a new behavior,” Jeroso-Dequito said.
She added: “I hope you will also embrace healthy behavior for the next few years. Indi lang sa subong nga New Year but for the next years,”
Lastly, the health officer also hoped for low fireworks-related injuries in Western Visayas and for all to have accident-free celebrations.
Here are the Healthy Pilipinas Guidelines for a Safe and Healthy Celebration for 2023 components:
For Healthy Handaan
* Eat a balanced, well-moderated, and varied diet
* Follow the “Pinggang Pinoy”
* Drink water; avoid alcohol and sweetened beverages
* Do not wait to feel thirsty
* Limit the intake of sweetened beverages
* Avoid alcoholic beverages.
For Healthy Celebrations
* Wear a mask if experiencing symptoms
* Practice wash-o’-clock all the time
* Opt for safe and age-appropriate gifts
* Do not smoke; quit smoking
* Take care of your mental health
For Iwas Paputok
* Prevent fireworks-related Injuries.
* Do not use fireworks and firecrackers to avoid accidents and injury.
* Use safer alternatives to firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
* Do not pick-up unexploded fireworks with your hands.
* Know your emergency hotlines and first-aid.
All DOH hospitals, provincial and district hospitals, and other health facilities shall:
* ensure the availability of emergency medical services during the holiday season upon declaration of “code white” alert,
* designate an area for management of fireworks-related injuries, and
* report all cases of fireworks-related injuries./PN
