Metro health center cited for strategy vs smoking
MANILA, Philippines—She knew it was a long shot.
But when Dr. Rachel Garcia of the Center for Health Development (CHD) of Metro Manila was awarded a $564,000 grant under the Bloomberg initiative for her project proposal, she knew then and there that anything was possible.
“It was a proverbial punch at the moon, but I submitted my entry anyways,” Garcia, head of the Degenerative and Health Promotion Cluster of CHD-Metro Manila, told the Inquirer.
Only five organizations from all over the world were recipients of assistance under the $250-million grant put up by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s foundation in 2008.
The Bloomberg initiative aims to reduce tobacco use in low- and middle-income countries by supporting worldwide efforts to implement effective strategies.
That CHD-Metro Manila, a facility under the Department of Health, was able to get a part of the grant was no mean feat.
“The grant was used to implement antismoking strategies found in my project proposal in nine local government units,” Garcia said.
Efforts recognized
On Tuesday, the center received one of the much-coveted Red Orchid Awards, a recognition given by the health department to government offices, state hospitals and local government units that have been consistent in promoting a “100-percent tobacco-free” environment.
The tribute is in response to the international community’s call for country implementation of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which aims to protect people from exposure to tobacco smoke.
The Philippines is one of 172 countries that ratified the convention.
“We are elated to know that our efforts are being recognized,” Dr. Irma Asuncion, head of CHD-Metro Manila, said.
Holistic approach
Garcia’s noncommunicable disease prevention and control program is a holistic approach to the smoking problem that involves nine model local government units. These are Valenzuela, Manila, Makati, Quezon City, Taguig, Navotas, Marikina, Caloocan and Muntinlupa.
Among the various activities of CHD-Metro Manila under the program for tobacco control are the installation of billboards for graphic health warnings, setting up of No Smoking signs in strategic areas, such as restrooms and the maintenance of a database for smokers and nonsmokers.
“Initiatives like these are possible if we are able to raise the civic consciousness of people as well,” Asuncion said.
Now, CHD-Metro Manila is focusing on establishing smoking cessation facilities in the nine local government units.
“We are hopeful that this will be a success,” Asuncion said.
Everybody’s fight
The CHD-Metro Manila project focuses on six strategic areas—capacity building, policy advocacy, effective legislation, media and communication, strategic partnership and strategic research, monitoring and evaluation.
“The uniqueness of the proposal is that it recognizes the importance of the participation of all units concerned, such as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Philippine National Police (PNP), among others,” Asuncion said.
Fighting the smoking menace would therefore not only be confined to health workers. Local government units, for example, provide the much-needed ordinances to add teeth to the program. The PNP is in charge of law enforcement.
Red Orchid awardees
The other recipients of the Red Orchid Awards in ceremonies held on Tuesday at Crowne Plaza in Pasig City were:
CHD-Soccsksargen, CHD-Cagayan Valley, CHD-Eastern Visayas, CHD-Mimaropa, CHD-Cordillera Autonomous Region and CHD-Bicol for health centers; Maasin City, Davao City, Roxas City, Balanga City and Legazpi City.
Amlan in Negros Oriental, Calatrava in Romblon, Pintuyan in Southern Leyte, Alamada in North Cotabato, Talisayan in Misamis Oriental, Tantangan in South Cotabato, Naval in Biliran, Dupax del Norte in Nueva Vizcaya, Buenavista in Guimaras, Veruela in Agusan del Sur, Solano in Nueva Vozcaya, Calauag in Quezon.
Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, Ospital ng Palawan, Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital, Tagaytay Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Western Visayas Sanitarium, Mariano Marcos Memorial Medical Center and Corazon Locsin Montelibano Regional Hospital (government hospitals).
The use of a red orchid in the campaign against smoking started when world-renowned photographer Ashvin Gatha created a symbol for the World No Tobacco Day launched by the World Health Organization in 1999.
Gatha chose an orchid on an ash tray—the flower referring to life, and the ashtray for death. Since then, the orchid—in a red color to signify determination—has remained a symbol of a tobacco-free world.
