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29 exhibitors participate in 1st Mindanao Medical Expo

2015 MOMS 2nd visit with the PSA NorthMin Chapter

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MED EXPO promotes health awareness through seminars

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MEDICAL EXPO. The Misamis Oriental Medical Society (MOMS) in partnership with the Mindanao Daily News, and its sister newspaper, the BusinessWeek Mindanao, with the Department of Health, Region 10 (DOH-10), conducted a three-day (November 3-5) 1st Mindanao Medical Expo held at the Centrio Ayala Mall Activity Center in Cagayan de Oro City. Some of the participants with DOH-10 Regional Director Nimfa Torrizo (6th from left), Med Expo Chairman Dra. Rachel D. Dilla (5th from left), and BusinessWeek Mindanao Corporation President and CEO Dante M. Sudaria (second from the left). mindanao daily news photo by irene dayo

29 exhibitors participate in 1st Mindanao Medical Expo

By MARK FRANCISCO and IRENE DAYO, Staff members with CHENG ORDOÑEZ, Associate Editor

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OZENS of exhibitors from the medical industry in Mindanao have joined the 1st Mindanao Medical Expo now ongoing at the activity center of Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro City.

The 1st Mindanao Medical Expo, organized by the Misamis Oriental Medical Society in cooperation with Mindanao Daily News, BusinessWeek Mindanao and the Department of Health (DOH), brings together at least 29 exhibitors from hospital facilities and state-of-theart medical supplies and equipment.

Some of the participants are Capitol University Medical City, Polymedic Medical Group, Madonna & Child Hospital, Department of Health (DOH) 10, Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital, Sabal Hospital, JR Borja General Hospital, Cagayan de Oro Medical Center, Clinica Specialista, Inc., Philippine Red Cross, Philippine Medical Association and

Health Emergency Lifesaving Paramedics.

The expo will culminate on November 3. Some of the activities include a series of lectures, workshops about control, prevention and treatment of common infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Also given emphasis during the opening ceremony on November 3 includes tuberculosis and HIV testing.

Lectures on Childhood Allergies and Asthma with Dr. Bernard Cepeda, Adolescent, Health Including Understanding Menstruation and Premarital Sex by the OBGyne Specialty Society and The Unsung Hero of the Operating Room: Anesthesiologist and its Anesthesia by the Anesthesia Specialty Society. Similar lectures were supervised by the Family Medicine Association, Philippine College of Physicians and by a group of general surgeons.

With the theme “Doctors Creating Health Awareness

There are a total of 29 exhibitors forming the first medical expo in Mindanao last November 3-5 at Centrio Mall Activity Center. It is organized by Misamis Oriental Medical Society, in cooperation with BusinessWeek Mindanao, its daughter newspaper Mindanao Daily News and Department of Health – Region 10. photo by irene dayo

through Community Partnership,” the exposition was lauded by no less than DOH10 Director Nimfa Torrizo who keynoted the opening and remarked that it is one of the ways to merge health services together to the public and promote the Kalusugang Pangkalahatan thrust of the Aquino administration.

Furthermore, the expo is a fund-raising activity of the Misamis Oriental Medical Society. The proceeds are allotted for the construction

of a dialysis center and cancer treatment hub that will cater to the poor and poverty-stricken renal and cancer patients of Cagayan de Oro and its neighboring municipalities.

Hundreds of mall shoppers as well as doctors, nurses, midwives, barangay health workers, medical students and others flock the expo’s opening day.

Catch the rest of the activities today and tomorrow at the activity center of Centrio in Cagayan de Oro City.

Rotary donates ward to JR Borja General Hospital Story by MARK FRANCISCO

THE Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro in cooperation with Interplast Australia through the facilitation of the Rotary Club of Baldwyn with the assistance of Donation in Kind donated a fullyfurnished ward at the cityowned JR Borja General Hospital.

JR Borja General Hospital executive officer Dr. Ramon Nery said the ward will be used for surgical patients and added they are lucky

because the equipment therein are all state-of-theart.

Rotarians also donated the following: 16 hospital beds with one bedside table and extra mattresses each, one OR table, one overhead table, and one nurses station table and more than a dozen monbloc chairs.

Project chairman Engr. Mar Paano assured the public that all these furnishings are brand new and are of the same

(From left) Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro president Cris Parojinog, JR Borja General Hospital executive officer Dr. Ramon Nery, project chair Engr. Mar Paano, Mayor Oscar Moreno, hospital consultant Rotarian George Goking, Rotary International District 3870 PAG Francisco Sarraga and BusinessWeek Mindanao CEO and executive officer Rotarian Dante Sudaria.

quality used in state-of-theart hospitals in Australia.

The ward that was donated will be renamed as Dr. Mike McGlynn Ward in honor of the person who introduced his colleagues from Interplast Australia 17 years ago to Cagayanons.

Through his efforts,

McGlynn was instrumental in the surgery of hundreds of persons who have cleft palate deformities since 1998.

The Dr. Mike McGlynn Ward is situated on the third level of the south wing of the JR Borja General Hospital old building.

Med Expo promotes health awareness through seminars

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elected students from different schools in Cagayan de Oro City learned about important health

topics as exhibitors of 1st Mindanao Medical Expo gave series of seminars on second day of the

event, happened last November 3-5, 2015 at Centrio Mall.

In the morning session, four modules

were given. Resource speaker, Dr. Atilyn Pareja of OB-GYNE Specialty Society discussed to high school students of Pilgrim Christian College about Adolescence and Puberty that happen at the same age of the students present. “It is the stage where you are no longer a child, but not yet an adult,” she explained to them.

There are a lot of nods and signs of approval among teenagers as Dr. Pareja cited the signs for physical and emotional changes that usually happen at Puberty stage.

Philippine Obstetrical

By Irene Joy B. Dayo ---------

Staff w riter

and Gynecological Society (POGS) President Rico Borromeo tackled about the risk-taking behaviours during adolescent years.

He said that risktaking behaviours such as driving too fast, texting or talking on the phone while driving, smoking, excessive alcohol

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consumption and several others come up because at teenage years, people are young and restless, curious, impulsive, lacks control, rebellious and gain strong feeling of independence.

“Risk-taking behaviours are risks to health and sexuality because you rush to adulthood,” he informed the students.

Dr. Queenie S. Quiño of POGS, thereafter, gave guiding tips to prevent risk-taking behaviours. She said that getting to physical activities such as Sports and outdoor tasks is good for adolescents.

They should also have proper hygiene and good grooming and should stay healthy and happy. It is also important not to dwell on situations that are harmful for them.

Moreover, she advised the students that if there are some things that confused them, the very first thing to do

is to turn to their parents because they are the best counselors. If they are afraid or ashamed to them, checking to the eldest sibling or relatives is the next option.

Dr. Quiño as well told students to stay away from sexual practice because it is not proper at their age.

“Good sex means that it should be done after marriage. It is at the right time, right person and for a right reason,” she added, citing the cases of teenage pregnancy and its effect to the mother, infant and their future.

Other than the morning session, several discussions followed in the afternoon, given this time to students of Iponan National High School. Topics tackled include drug addiction, smoking and others.

This series of seminars is part of the conduct of three-day Medical Expo organized by Misamis Oriental Medical

Society, in cooperation with BusinessWeek Mindanao, Mindanao Daily News and Department of Health Region – 10.

Participants of the expo include Madonna and Child Hospital, City Health Center – CDO, PhilHealth, Philippine Red Cross, Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Maria

Reyna Xavier University Hospital, Capitol University Medical Center, J.R. Borja General Hospital, Sabal Hospital, Polymedic Medical Group, Philippine Medical Association, Health Emergency Lifesaving Paramedics, Clinica Specialista, Cagayan de Oro Medical Center, Misamis Oriental

Physicians and Nurse Association, Cagayan Kidney Center, Misamis Oriental Medical Center and several others. In the theme, “Doctors Creating Health Awareness Tthrough Community Partnership,” this expo aims to showcase medical services that Mindanao could be proud of.

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WHAT EVERY WOMAN (AND MEN..) MUST KNOW ABOUT BREAST CANCER:

TOP 12 FAQs I HAVE HEARD FROM MY PATIENTS

By JOSE RHOEL C. DE LEON, M.D., FPCS, FPSGS BREAST AND CANCER SURGERY

1. What is breast cancer?

Breast Cancer is a malignancy involving the mammary glands (breast). Like any other cancer, it usually starts from a damage to a single cell leading to a rampant growth of those cells and spreading to other normal cells (tumor) with a potential to invade and spread to other organs (metastasis) 2. What is the incidence of breast cancer?

It is the most common cause of cancer and cancer death among women, with a worldwide

incidence of breast cancer is 22.9% of all types of cancer. It causes almost half a million deaths a year worldwide, and about 1.4 million women were affected. In the Philippines it is the most common cause of cancer for both sexes combined.

3. Does it only affect women?

Although it commonly affects women, about 1.7% or close to 2 men for every 100 women will develop breast cancer.

4. Who are at higher risk of getting breast cancer?

There are identifiable risk factors: • Increasing age – most common in the 50s but

incidence starts to rise dramatically at age 40.

• Family History of Breast Cancer – about 20% of breast cancer has a family predisposition and 5% are truly hereditary (with identifiable genetic mutation like BRCA 1 and 2) • Hormonal factors – late (above 35) or not being able to get pregnant, early menstruation (12 and below), late menopause (45 and above).

In other words, the longer (number of years) a woman is exposed to the monthly menstruation, the higher the risk. Long term use of oral contraceptives is also a risk.

• Diet and lifestyle – alcohol and smoking are risk factors, as well as obesity.

• Pre malignant breast lesions – if you have been diagnosed with a breast mass with atypia. You are at risk four-fold.

• There are other things associated with breast cancer but are not well-established, what is important to remember is that almost 80% of breast cancer only have BEING A WOMAN AND AGE above 40 as identifiable risk factor.

5. Can Breast Cancer be prevented? How do we detect it early?

Breast cancer cannot be prevented, but it can be cured when diagnosed early. The following are the recommended screening methods: • SELF-BREAST EXAMINATION a week after menstruation • BREAST EXAMINATION by a healthcare professional, annually for women 40 and above and every 2-3 years for younger women • MAMMOGRAPHY annually beginning age 40 6. What is the first probable sign of breast cancer?

The presence of a mass or a thickening of the breast is the only symptom of breast cancer, rarely, it can present as a palpable lymph node in the armpit. However, with screening mammography, and seeing your doctor early – it can be detected at its earliest stage.

7. How do I know I have breast cancer?

If your doctor suspects that your mass is a breast cancer, he will request for some imaging like mammography and breast ultrasound to characterize the mass. However, THE ONLY CONFIRMATORY diagnostic procedure is a BIOPSY procedure, either through needle or open biopsy.

8. What should I do when I have breast cancer?

First, see a qualified doctor to take care of you.

The first thing to be done is surgery. You can either have your whole breast removed (mastectomy) or have it preserved (breast conservation). Surgery is the cornerstone of treatment of breast cancer.

9. Are there other treatments needed after surgery?

ADJUVANT treatments are added after surgery – meaning, they are added to improve survival and decrease the chance that breast cancer will come back. The following are the adjuvant treatments: • CHEMOTHERAPY is the giving of toxic medicines to kill whatever cancer cells remained in your system.

• RADIATION is added to improve local control and prevent breast cancer from coming back. If conservation was done, radiation is a must • HORMONAL TREATMENT in the form of oral drugs are given to those with HORMONE RESPONSIVE breast cancers (ER or PR positive tumors)

faqs/PAGE 9

Misamis Oriental Medical Society First Interhospital Sportsfest 2015 Written by: Dr. Mitchel B. Gonzalez Chaiman, 1st Interhospital Sportsfest 2015

M

isamis Oriental Medical Society, MOMS as we fondly call it, has mutltiple programs within the year to promote health and provide services to the people of Region X. MOMS’ Officers for 2015-2016 led by Dr. Ferdinand Miranda continued the efforts of the previous board members to uplift the welfare of our people through partnership with all the physicians in the region. As members of this society engage in different activities ranging from medical missions in Brgy. Dahilayan, Mangrove tree planting at Alubijid and fund raising programs for the benefit of cancer patients of Northern Mindanao Cancer Detection Center some gathered extra time to create an event that will strengthen the bond among healthcare providers; hence, the first interhospital sportsfest was born.

This idea came about during one of the monthly board meetings of the society. In July 2015, it was decided that MOMS will participate in the success of the Interhospital Basketball tournament (initiated by Dr. Victor Jose Peña) and expand the competition to several other categories. Team sports such as Volleyball, Football, and Badminton commenced on October 04, 2015 at Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital covered court while Swimming, Bowling, Billiards and Dart games await the November 15, 2015 scheduled tournament and final day of the sportsfest to be held at Xavier Sports Club.

Nine (9) hospitals registered in this event with over 600 participants.

It was through the efforts of the hospitals and the respective sports coordinators that this tournament transpired. Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital (Mr. Melfrance Petalcorin and Romeo Agad), Camp Evangelista Station Hospital (Msg. Bonifacio Espineli), Capitol University Medical City (Mr. Greg Jardin and Dax Hallazgo), Northern Mindanao Medical Center (Mr.

Mario Galon), Cagayan de Oro Medical Center (Ms. Shane Malimas), JR Borja General Hospital (Dr. Michael Perez), Madonna and Child Hospital (Mr. Enrico Yap), Sabal Doctors Hospital (Mr. Gino Mabulay), and Polymedic Medical Group (Mr. Leonard Solima and Eduardo Olango).

It’s been four (4) weeks since the

tournament started. Blood pressure has been rising, cheerleading has become a new event and the race for championship got everybody’s jaw locked tight. The sportsfest which was created to bring harmony among healthcare providers has given much more than that – friendship, camaraderie and a chance to “Fight for Your Hospital!”

We’re breaking new ground!

Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center Cagayan de Oro Inc., makes stateof-the-art health care facilities become a reality for the city of Cagayan de Oro as it breaks ground on Sunday, June 12, 2016. The 10-story, 300-bed Level 3 hospital located in Rosario Drive, LKK, Lapasan, is just one of a group of ACE hospitals nationwide that seeks to make health care accessible and affordable where and when the patient needs it most. Local residents need not seek medical care elsewhere, as

modern facilities – coupled with the organization’s mission to provide quality health care with altruism, compassion and excellence will be readily available locally.

The Corporate Board is composed of 23 medical specialists from Cagayan de Oro who have been actively practicing in the city for sometime, as well as 37 medical specialists based in other parts of the country whose expertise and experience will make the hospital’s services at par with the best in the country and soon even in surrounding Southeast Asia.

It is chaired nationally by Dr. Amado Manuel C. Enriquez Jr., a thoraco-cardiovascular surgeon with practice in Manila.

Other existing Allied Care Experts (ACE) hospitals in the country are located in Valenzuela, Baliwag, Pateros, Quezon City, and Baypointe, Subic Bay Free Port Zone. Construction is ongoing for other Allied Care Expert (ACE) hospitals in the Visayas such as in Cebu, Bohol, Dumaguete, Iloilo and Tacloban. Soon, other ACE hospitals will rise in Mindanao specifically in Davao, Butuan City, Zamboanga, General Santos City and now in Cagayan de Oro. This network of experts and facilities elevate health care into an exciting opportunity for Cagay-anons and people from nearby provinces to enjoy Allied Care Expert’s commitment to providing outstanding care and quality service all over the country.

FAQs... from page 6

10. What has to be done when I completed treatment?

There is always that risk that it may come back, so you need to see your doctor on a regular basis for surveillance. He will be requesting some tests to monitor you.

11. What are the stages of breast cancer and its significance?

STAGE 0: Breast cancer cells are confined inside the milk ducts (In situ breast cancer) Cure is almost 100%.

STAGE I: Breast cancer less than 2 cm in size with no axillary spread or distant organ spread.

About 90% 5-year survival and 80% 10-year survival.

Region 10 Director Nimfa Torrizo is the opening’s guest speaker. With her in the photo are Dr. Ferdinand Miranda, President of Misamis Oriental Medical Society; Expo Chairman Dra. Rachel D. Dilla, and Mr. Dante M. Sudaria, BusinessWeek Mindanao Corp. President and CEO.

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STAGE II: More than two cm in size, with or without axillary spread. About 70% 5 year and 60% 10 year survival.

STAGE III: Locally advanced, more than 5 cm, with positive lymph nodes. 40% 5 and 35% 10 year survival STAGE IV: Metastatic, cancer has spread to other organs. 10% 5-year survival, less than 7% 10year survival.

Survival and chance for cure depends on the stage. The earliest the stage, the greater chances for cure.

12. What to do when cancer returns?

It has to be determined where the cancer has recurred, some recurrence have better prognosis than the other, you have to see your doctor immediately.

There are many other questions that I get from my patients and in the many lectures I give

to doctors and laymen alike. But these are the top 12 questions that everybody should basically know about breast cancer. There are many resources available on the web and on published articles. Just always remember, the best chance for breast cancer is getting it early. So be screened and be informed. x-------------------------------------x DR. JOSE RHOEL C. DE LEON is a surgical oncologist, breast surgeon. He is a nationally recognized authority in breast cancer and has given many talks and lectures on the topic. He is the head of the Capitol University Medical Center Department of Surgery in Cagayan de Oro City, former national president of the Philippine Society of General Surgeons, and a member of the board – Surgical Oncology Society of the Philippines, and Philippine Breast Cancer Society.

THE BREAST AND CANCER CLINIC (www. facebook.com/breastclinicCDO)

Misamis Oriental Medical Society

Maria Reyna XU Hospital

City Health Office of CDO

Northern Mindanao Medical Center

Polymedic Medical Group and Capitol University Medical Center provided free Blood Pressure and Hemo Glucose Test. Aside from them, there was also blood-letting event conducted by Philippine Red Cross – Mindanao Regional Blood Center.

Region 10 Director Nimfa Torrizo is the opening’s guest speaker. With her in the photo are Dr. Ferdinand Miranda, President of Misamis Oriental Medical Society; Expo Chairman Dra. Rachel D. Dilla, and Mr. Dante M. Sudaria, BusinessWeek Mindanao Corp. President and CEO.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS....

By Joanne Mae Merilles-Antolin, RMT MD

PSA NORTHERN MINDANAO CHAPTER

It’s been 25 years since our Philippine Society of Anaesthesiologists’ Northern Mindanao Chapter (PSANM) still exist and active. It continues the mission to improve the quality of anaesthesia healthcare in our region. The vision of the chapter is to be a source of inspiration, encouragement, support and assistance to all fellow anaesthesiologists in Northern Mindanao. Not only that, it maintains ethical relationships with other professional organizations and brings good camaraderie to all fellow anaesthesiologists in Northern Mindanao and other regions of the Philippines. But do you know how, where, when and who started the chapter?

There was only one PSA Chapter of Mindanao before.

It was based in Davao City.

Not until 1990 when Dr. Merli Odi was the PSA National President when she urged my father Dr. Rico B. Merilles to form a PSA Northern Mindanao chapter. Being her student in the Anesthesiology Center Western Pacific in 1985, he cannot do anything but to follow her. This was also with the advice of Dr. Lydia Ygay.

At that time, it was very hard then to convince his fellow anaesthesiologists of Northern Mindanao because for all of them are busy and preoccupied.

Many are half-heartedly interested and quorum cannot be achieved. But my father’s favorite inspirational quote by Hamilton Wright Mabi said “The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had means, time, influence and educational advantages; the question is what he will do with the things he has. The moment a young man ceases to dream or to bemoan his lack of opportunities and resolutely looks his conditions in the face, and resolves to change them, he lays the corner-stone of a solid

and honourable success.”

Despite the pressures from the Mother Society, this inspirational quote encouraged my father, Dr. Rico B. Merilles, to create and to organize the PSA Northern Mindanao Chapter. At that time, he was motivated and goal-oriented to pursue the chapter. Since they were only few, the first officers at that time was not made through nominations but was appointed point blank to their positions by Dr. Rico B. Merilles. The core group was from Cagayan de Oro City but the membership extends to Bukidnon, Caraga Region (which is now a separate chapter), Misamis Occidental, Iligan City, which later extended to Marawi City. And Philippine Society of Anesthesiologists’ Northern Mindanao chapter was then created. The organization is not solely run by my father but is run by energetic anaesthesiologists.

The pioneering officers for 4 years where as follows: PRESIDENT: Dr. Rico B. Merilles,

VICE-PRESIDENT: Dr. Rene Gaid, SECRETARY & CME COORDINATOR: Dr. Angelica S. Samarista, TREASURER: Dr. Rosemary Yee, AUDITOR: Dr. Hiyasmin Hernandez, PRO: Dr. Francisco Hipona & Dr. Geronimo Clitar Jr., BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Dr. Jesus Seriña, Dr. Henry Fabe, Dr. Arturo Mar, Dr. Proserfina Lim-Domingo, Dr. Sylvino Abellanosa, Dr. Emma Masorong.

For every organization, many ups and downs were experienced by the chapter.

Several activities of the chapter were made and slowly grew by the end of the year and succeeding years. With the immense responsibility of the chapter, nobody wants to be the president then. So the seat of officers was status quo. Due to his enthusiasm, humour and commitment to the chapter, for 4 years from 1990-1994 he was the Chapter president and the chapter hosted for the 1st time the PSA National Midyear Convention at Cagayan de Oro City held on 1994 of

May. At this time, everybody was interested, steadfast and focus all their time, effort and cooperation on the incoming convention. Consecutive meetings and updates were done. In preparation for the convention, a choral group was formed to sing the National Anthem and opening prayer.

Somehow or in one way or another, these practices was the gateway for their bonding because almost all the anaesthesiologists of Cagayan de Oro City joined the choral group. Everybody was ecstatic to sing and to deliver a very good rendition. This somehow earned an invitation by the National Philippine Society of Anesthesiologists’ to sing for the opening prayer and National Anthem during the National Philippine Society of Anesthesiologists’ convention held in Manila on 1994. With this performance, they were given the Award of Most Cooperative Chapter in 1994. This made them united.

Since that time on, the Philippine Society of Anesthesiologists’ Northern Mindanao Chapter became active. With strong bonds, good team work and humour of my father, many awards were received by the chapter. In 2005, they were awarded The Most Outstanding Chapter during

the presidency of Dr. Jocelyn Ucab and were awarded again in 2011 during the presidency of Dr. Ferdinand Miranda.

And for the third time as the Most Outstanding Chapter in 2014 during the presidency of Dr. Achmad Disangcopan.

The chapter also became the recipient of several plaques of

PSA NM 1995-1996 President: Dr. Rico B. Merilles PSA NM 1997-1998 President: Dr. Angelica SamaristaGiron PSA NM 1999-2000 President: Dr. Henry R. Fabe PSA NM 2001-2002 President: Dr. Rene Antonio S. Gaid PSA NM 2003-2004 President: Dr. Oscar LL. Gue PSA NM 2005-2006 President: Dr. Jocelyn V. Ucab The excellence of leadership, God fearing attribute, resilient comradeship with fellow peers, dedication and robust

eagerness to serve the chapter are some of the qualities my father be looking for the next generation of leaders to come

appreciations given by different civic groups of Cagayan de Oro City because of their participation in different medical missions and other activities by the local communities. Recently in our PSA Annual Convention 2015 held at Marriott Hotel Manila, we received again A Hall of Famer Award for one of the Most

Outstanding Chapters under the leadership of Dr. Thelma Egarle.

For 25 years, we would like to thank the following Past Presidents of PSA Northern Mindanao Chapter. For without them, this chapter would not exist until today. These are the following Past Presidents of PSA Northern Mindanao Chapter:

PSA NM 2007-2008 President: Dr. Fereve S. Pacatan PSA NM 2009 President: Dr. Hiyasmin T. Hernandez PSA NM 2010-2011 President: Dr. Ferdinand D. Miranda PSA NM 2012-2013 President: Dr. Laureano M. Ledres, Jr PSA NM 2014 President: Dr. Achmad M. Disangcopan PSA NM 2015 President: Dr. Thelma Egarle PSA NM 2016 President: Dr. Judith Irene R. Paglinawan and it did. For 25 years, my father is grateful and jovial that with simple and humble beginnings the Philippine Society

of Anaesthesiologists’ Northern Mindanao Chapter exists vivaciously and still dynamic.

Med Expo Pictorials

Smart and Ateneo improve LGU’s health program

Samboan adopts SHINE to digitize patients’ records

W

hen Dr. Ianne Jireh Ramos took over as Samboan's health officer in January 2015, patient records were written down in paper that are cut into quarters and deposited in one large box.

"Wala gali na staple ang notes kabahin sa usa ka patient. Ang basehan sa pagtambal mao na lang ang sulti sa pasyente kung kanus-a siya nakapa-checkup og unsa pud ang tambal nga gihatag sa iyaha," she said. (The notes that concern one patient were not even stapled together. To get a background on the condition of my patients, I only rely on what they tell me about prior checkups and prescribed medications.)

Samboan today revamps the operations of its Municipal Health Office (MHO) by adopting an open-source health management system called SHINE OS+.

SHINE stands for Secured Health Information Network and Exchange.

An initiative of wireless leader Smart Communications and the Ateneo de Manila University’s Java Wireless Competency Center (AJWCC), SHINE OS+ allows digital recording of patient notes; referrals to connected clinics, doctors, and medical facilities; reminders through email or text; and report compilations.

Samboan Mayor Raymond Joseph Calderon said the computerization of patient records will be a big help to the town and enable the local health personnel to provide them the services they need.

"We are implementing in Samboan a very important project with Smart and Ateneo. I thank Smart for all the programs it has initiated in the town," he said during the launching of SHINE OS+ that coincided with the town fiesta celebration last Wednesday.

Smart, in partnership with Cebu-based startup InnoPub Media, has earlier launched its Digital Tourism initiative in Samboan, one of the

towns south of Cebu that have been benefiting from community ecotourism. A mobile app and e-book was developed to highlight key tourism areas all over the country, including Samboan, to make local travel a more enriching experience.

Smart, through its value brand, Talk ‘N Text, also launched its Panalo ang may Alam Communities, an initiative designed for existing communities geared towards mobile Internet education and business trainings.

TNT, in partnership with Facebook, promoted the use of Free Basics, which allows free Internet access to websites such as Facebook, Wikipedia, and Jobstreet for Smart, Sun, and TNT subscribers.

For its latest engagement, Smart hopes to help improve the delivery of health services in the locality.

Health management

With SHINE OS+, Samboan will not only have accurate health records, it is also forewarned of outbreaks and can keep track of diseases over time, Ramos pointed out.

"In the past, we had no way of determining which illnesses were rampant. Just a few days of using the system and I could already see that six out of 10 adult patients suffer from hypertension," she cited.

Atty. Maria Jane C. Paredes, Smart Public Affairs manager for the Visayas and Mindanao, said Samboan is the first town to implement the SHINE OS+ and she hoped other local government units would follow suit.

“The system's objective is to improve the delivery of basic health services and Samboan is starting to make this happen,” said Paredes.

In Cebu, some 22 towns have already been trained to use the online version of SHINE although they have yet to familiarize themselves with the offline capabilities, said Mae Niña Migabon, Smart public affairs officer. The system’s offline capability solves the connectivity challenges in some areas.

The program will be launched in the cities of Cotabato and Dumaguete. Some early adopters include Cordova in Mactan, Zarraga in Iloilo, and Barangay Tagpos in Rizal Province.

Expanded functions

Shine OS+ project lead Reena Estuar, who is also executive director of AJWCC, said having the records online ensure they survive disasters such

as floods and fires.

Smart asked Ateneo in 2013 to rebuild its existing SHINE initiative to expand some functions, citing that the core value of SHINE OS+ is not just to digitize information but to share it as well.

The updated SHINE OS+ allows encoding of records even when there's no Internet connection and updates the information when the laptop or computer

goes online. SHINE OS+ mobile apps are now available in Android and iOS versions.

A website will be launched where developers can download and share improvements to the system's source code and set up a marketplace for selling or sharing system plug-ins.

She said all medical facilities, from health offices to hospitals that

are using SHINE OS+ are interconnected, and the goal is to move towards a Philippine Health Information Exchange (PHIE) linking all electronic medical records (EMR) systems.

“The objective is to have a PHIE that is linked to Philhealth. Health services can be greatly improved by a system that allows medical records to be exchanged securely,” said Estuar.