By Patricia B. Mirasol, Producer
Well being consultants convened in a September 9 occasion, co-organized by the French Embassy within the Philippines and CFI Media Improvement, to launch the Media for One Well being challenge.
One Well being is an strategy that acknowledges the connection between the well being of individuals and the well being of animals and our shared surroundings.
At the very least 61% of human pathogens are from zoonotic ailments (or ailments transmitted between vertebrate animals and people), based on Dr. Vicente Y. Belizario, Jr., president of the Philippine Tutorial Consortium for Public Well being.
“Growing worldwide journey and commerce, [as well as] the enlargement of human populations into new geographic areas,” have contributed to the faster and wider unfold of ailments, he mentioned.
One well being as an strategy requires the mobilization of a number of sectors and disciplines, on condition that it additionally encompasses points reminiscent of antibiotic resistance and meals security and safety.
One such metropolis that already applies the idea is Parañaque, based on Dr. Amado A. Antonio III, veterinarian IV of the Division of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Trade’s Animal Well being and Welfare Division.
“In Parañaque, town veterinarian’s workplace straight collaborates with town well being workplace, so when there’s a rabies case within the metropolis, it’s instantly reported to town vet, who experiences it to town well being workplace,” he mentioned.
“We nonetheless have to strengthen this strategy for nationwide pursuits,” Mr. Antonio added, “particularly for rising and re-emerging ailments.”
Former well being secretary Dr. Manuel M. Dayrit remarked that describing the implementation of One Well being as complicated could be an understatement.
“In a world the place there’s a disaster in each silo, how will we focus folks’s consideration on one well being?” he requested on the occasion.
“Who among the many line businesses goes to take the lead?” he added. “How will they unify their strategy [and broadcast this] all the best way to group channels?”
Communication is vital to the success of One Well being, Mr. Belizario mentioned.
“Within the public sector, we would like illness management…Once we defend one, we assist defend all,” he mentioned.
Schistosomiasis
One such illness that has low consciousness – resulting in rampant misdiagnosis – is the parasitic illness schistosomiasis, Mr. Belizario mentioned.
In accordance with the World Well being Group, schistosomiasis is very prevalent in poor communities with out entry to protected consuming water and ample sanitation.
Transmission can happen when folks bathe or swim in freshwater sources with feces or urine that include parasite eggs.
Continual liver injury and seizures are among the many issues one can get from the illness.
Agriculture will not be largely modernized within the Philippines, Mr. Belizario identified.
“There’s nonetheless using the farmer’s finest good friend – the carabao [water buffalo],” he mentioned.
“Carabaos are a serious provider of schistosomiasis japonicum [an infectious agent of schistosomiasis],” he mentioned. “For so long as the carabaos are getting used…schistosomiasis isn’t ever going to be eradicated.”
