A HEALTHIER YOU Exercising regularly and avoiding ultra-processed food are among the healthier habits being recommended by Healthy Philippines Alliance to kick-start the New Year. — NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has urged Filipinos to “live healthier lives” as the country welcomes New Year 2025.
The non-profit humanitarian organization’s message came after the Department of Health logged 228 cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) leading up to New Year’s Eve.
“For the new year, we urge more Filipinos to join us in practicing and living healthier lives,” PRC Chairperson Richard Gordon said in a statement on Thursday.
“In the feasts we have with our families, friends, and colleagues, let’s avoid eating fatty, salty, and sweet food to prevent stroke and acute coronary syndrome,” he added.
From Dec. 22 to 30, DOH tallied 103 cases of acute stroke, most commonly among patients aged 45 to 64. Of these cases, there were two deaths.
The health department also saw 62 cases of acute coronary syndrome, a condition wherein patients experience sudden changes in their blood pressure and myocardial infarction or heart attack. The cases were frequently among individuals aged 55 to 74.
There was one death from acute coronary syndrome, according to DOH data released on Monday.
Further, 63 cases of bronchial asthma were also recorded during the same period. It was common among children aged 0 to 9, which the DOH attributed to smoke from fireworks.
The DOH data came from eight pilot sites in its efforts to monitor acute complications amid the holiday festivities.
“We ask more people to develop healthy diet[s] and exercise habits as part of their new year goals. To prevent bronchial asthma, we’re also encouraging more people to stop smoking,” Gordon advised.
PRC reported that its emergency medical response teams helped to transport NCD patients in Baguio City and Quezon City as well as the provinces of Batangas, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, South Cotabato, and Southern Leyte.
The organization also called on the public to learn basic first aid to handle health emergencies.
“Learning basic first aid at home is crucial in our everyday lives. This can help us readily respond to unexpected situations, especially in special occasions like gatherings with relatives and friends this season,” PRC Secretary-General Gwendolyn Pang said in the statement.
“This year, we hope to accelerate our first aid and CPR training campaign to reach more Filipinos and have more communities learn these lifesaving skills,” she added.