DOLE issues guidelines on Hepatitis B in workplace

To prevent the spread of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the workplace without discriminating against infected workers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued a seven-point guideline on dealing with the situation.

The guidelines, contained in DOLE Department Advisory No. 5, became effective on Tuesday, 15 days after it was published in a national newspaper.

“This is part of our efforts to ensure decent work. Workers should not only be provided just wages and benefits. They should also be protected from illnesses like Hepatitis B which may hinder their productivity and competitiveness," DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said in an article posted on the government portal on Wednesday.

Under the advisory, all private workplaces will implement a rights-based policy and a program on Hepatitis B that incorporates human rights standards and principles.

The guidelines also cover all workers regardless of their employment status.

Hepatitis B

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) website, Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver.

The virus is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person but not through casual contact, WHO said.

About 2 billion people worldwide have been infected with the virus and about 350 million live with chronic infection.

An estimated 600 000 persons die each year due to the acute or chronic consequences of hepatitis B.

The HBV is 50 to 100 times more infectious than Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but it is preventable with a safe and effective vaccine, WHO said.

According to WHO, the symptoms of HBV include:
yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice);
dark urine;
extreme fatigue;
nausea;
vomiting, and
abdominal pain.

When infected, people can take several months to a year to recover from the symptoms, WHO said.

The disease can also cause a chronic liver infection that can later develop into cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer.

Risks for workers

The DOLE advisory requires vaccination in all occupations with a conceivable risk of Hepatitis B transmission in the workplace such as health care workers and other workers whose occupation involves the potential exchange of bodily fluids.

DOLE encourages all establishments to provide Hepatitis B immunization for all its workers.

The advisory also requires firms to include a policy on non-discriminatory, confidentiality, work accommodation, and arrangements for workers with Hepatitis B status.

It specifically states the following:

1. There shall be no discrimination of any form against workers on the basis of their Hepatitis B status consistent with international agreements on non-discrimination ratified by the Philippines (ILO C111). They shall not be discriminated against, from pre- to post-employment, including hiring, promotion, or assignment;

2. They shall not be declared unfit to work without appropriate medical evaluation and counseling;

3. Workers shall not be terminated on the basis of the actual, perceived, or suspected Hepatitis B status;

4. Workplace management of sick employees shall not differ from that of any other illness. Persons with Hepatitis-B related illness should be able to work for as long as they are medically fit;

5. Job applicants and workers shall not be compelled to disclose their Hepatitis B status and other related medical information. Co-workers shall not be obliged to reveal and personal information about fellow workers. Access to personal data relating to a worker’s Hepatitis B status shall be bound by the rules of confidentiality and shall be strictly limited to medical personnel or if legally required;

6. Employers shall take measures to reasonably accommodate workers who are Hepatitis B positive or with Hepatitis B-related illnesses;

7. Through agreements made between management and workers’ representatives, measures to support workers with Hepatitis B are encouraged through flexible leave arrangements, rescheduling of working time, and arrangement for return to work.

Workplace policyTo assist employers and workers, Baldoz said the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), together with the Department of Health (DOH), will help companies formulate and implement their Hepatitis B Workplace Policy and Program.

She added that the DOLE will also develop a basic information package to educate workers and employees on Hepatitis B prevention and management.

Baldoz said the DOLE's regional offices, the DOH, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and local government units (LGUs), will monitor the compliance of private establishments on the implementation of the Hepatitis B workplace policy and program. – VVP, GMANews.TV

Subscribe to Biztalk and Jobs via Email
Become a fan Biztalk and Jobs in Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Blog Links:
Health and Wellness
The Leader
ACTRESS @ CELEBRITIES PHOTOS
Young and Adult Sexual Reprouctive Health
Organic Farming

10 new suspected HIV cases reported in Angeles City

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – City health authorities yesterday reported 10 new suspected cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) here.

Dr. Teresita Esguerra, chief of the social hygiene center of the city health office, also noted an eight percent increase in cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among thousands of women registered as workers in local bars and other tourist-oriented establishments.

She told The STAR that there are about 13,000 registered workers in local entertainment establishments who are all required under a city ordinance to undergo weekly smear tests at the social hygiene center.

“Since last July, the number of such workers coming for the tests has increased from an average of 700 to 1,200 daily,” she said.

Center nurse Lynne Velasco quoted the STD victims as saying that Koreans have replaced Americans as the suspected sources of their ailments.

Angeles earned the tag “sin city” as American soldiers stationed at the former Clark US Air Force base frequented the “red light districts” here for their “rest and recreation.”

The red light districts suffered a slump when the Americans abandoned Clark in 1991, but resurfaced a few years later when Clark was converted into a special economic zone.

Esguerra noted that since 1985, at least 100 locals, mostly women working in bars, have been confirmed to be HIV-positive.

HIV eventually leads to the fatal Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

“A rapid test we did recently revealed 10 more suspected HIV cases but we are not informing the concerned girls yet until we receive a confirmation from a laboratory in Manila,” she said.

Esguerra, however, said her office has lost track of most of the 100 confirmed HIV cases. “We got feedback that some went back to their provinces, while about 10 have already died of AIDS,” she said.

Velasco said the victims included three siblings, now aged two, four, and seven who were orphaned by parents who died from AIDS. These children are now under the care of a foundation in Manila.

Esguerra cited limitations provided by Republic Act 8524 of the Philippine National AIDS Law that prevent health authorities from tracking down probable sources of HIV in the city’s foreign community.

“We also cannot control the activities of the HIV patients. We cannot forbid them to return to the bars to work, neither can we warn the bars on the health of the patients,” she said.

Esguerra and Velasco said attempts to provide the patients with other forms of livelihood have failed.

“The cash given them just vanishes. It seems that their experience in bars has developed an outlook for easy money,” Velasco said.

She said six confirmed HIV patients are now under the care of the city government. Four of them are employed as “peer advisors” to other bar workers.

Esguerra noted though that compared to other major cities in the country, the local HIV situation is not as bad. “But we have to be vigilant,” she added.

Next month, she said random HIV tests would be done among registered and freelance entertainers as well as tricycle drivers, among whom STD cases have been reported to be significant.

“At least 300 from each group would undergo behavioral and blood tests,” she said.

Esguerra said her office is pushing the availability of condoms in nightspots to help prevent the spread of HIV and other STDs.

“The female entertainers, however, report that most of their customers refuse the use of condom. In gay bars, the male workers are embarrassed to admit having had sex with customers, so they refuse blood tests,” she said. –Ding Cervantes (The Philippine Star)

Subscribe to Biztalk and Jobs via Email
Become a fan Biztalk and Jobs in Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Blog Links:
Health and Wellness
The Leader
ACTRESS @ CELEBRITIES PHOTOS
Young and Adult Sexual Reprouctive Health
Organic Farming

A Friendly Reminder: Food Tsunami Coming; Moderate Your Appetite!

Have you noticed?
Christmas parties have arrived.
And so has the lechon, liempo, barbecue, porkchop, sugpo, crabs… And to think that I’ll be joining 4 parties next week and 12 more until the year ends.
Plus a couple of wedding receptions! (December is our weddingest month here in the Philippines. When I asked my friend why she chose December, she said, “Because it’s cool. So I won’t sweat in my wedding gown. Is there any other reason?” The bride rules!)
Warning: A Tsunami of food is coming your way. It will land any moment now. Get ready or you’ll get swept away.
Why? Many of our sicknesses are connected to our food.
If you already read my newest book, Awaken The Healer In You, you’ll know that some of the food offered on those parties aren’t good if eaten again and again. (In other words, moderate your greed, I mean, your appetite.)
If you haven’t read my book, grab one at the bookstores now.
Here’s the cover below…

I already mentioned about this in my last Soulfood email last Monday. But just in case you forgot to sign up, I’m putting the reminder below again:


To complement the book, I’ll also be sending out a free eReport entitled, My Morning Health Habit.

I have this morning habit that helps me so much.
I love doing it.
It gives me a mega-dose of enzymes and a mega-dose of Vitamin C naturally. (No pills, no supplements.)
My morning habit also makes my body more alkaline (Note: germs love acidic environments) and cleanses my kidneys and liver from toxins—everyday!
I repeat: I’m not recommending a tablet or a supplement.
It’s something that’s available in your local market!
But you have to take it in a particular way.
To know what this powerful habit is, get my special free eReport, My Morning Health Habit, at www.HealerInYou.com
May your dreams come true,

Source:

Bo Sanchez
PS. Just a heads up: I’ll be making available a 6-Talk Video Course, also entitled, Awaken The Healer In You. Because I know it’s impact upon your life will be much more powerful than just reading the book. I want to ship this DVD set to you (including my book, of course) for New Year. In my next email, I’ll tell you more about it.
In the meantime, get my free eReport, My Morning Health Habit, at www.HealerInYou.com


Subscribe to Biztalk and Jobs via Email
Become a fan Biztalk and Jobs in Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Blog Links:
Health and Wellness
The Leader
ACTRESS @ CELEBRITIES PHOTOS
Young and Adult Sexual Reprouctive Health
Organic Farming

Avocado : World’s Most Nutritious Fruit

Avocado : World’s Most Nutritious Fruit

Considered a complete food, this fruit has so many benefits that one can imagine.

Avocado is often said to be the most nutritious fruit in the world – and it is! The fruit provides more than 25 essential nutrients such as protein, iron, copper, phosphorus and magnesium, just to name a few.

Nutritionists claim avocado contain goodly amounts of Vitamin C (necessary for the production of collagen needed for the growth of new cells and tissues, prevents viruses from penetrating cell membranes, and also a powerful anti-oxidant), thiamine (converts carbohydrates to glucose to fuel the brain and nervous system), and riboflavin (helps the body to release energy from proteins, carbohydrates and fat).

Avocado also has 60% more potassium than banana. Potassium is a mineral, that helps regulate blood pressure. As such, adequate intake of potassium can help guard against circulatory diseases, like high blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke. III addition, avocado also provides calories for energy and beneficial phytochemicals such as glutathione.

In recent years, most people avoid eating avocado like the plague. The reason: avocado is high in fat. In fact, 75% of its calories come from fat (which is why avocado is a good source of energy). But what they don’t know that the fat it contains is the healthful monotulsaturated fat, which has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

“Avocados aid in blood and tissue regeneration, stabilize blood sugar, and are excellent for heart disorders,” says Dr. Ed Bauman, director of Bauman College. They’re loaded with fiber. (11 to 17 grams per fruit) and are a good source of lutein, an antioxidant linked to eye and skin health.” Unsaturated fats are those found in dairy and animal products.

Another reason for eating avocado: It helps in the absorption of nutrients that are fat-soluble such as beta-carotene and lutein, when foods containing these nutrients are eaten with avocado.

Overall, avocado is considered a complete food: it has vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, calories and fiber, no cholesterol, and is sodium free. As such, avocado is ideal for growing up children, adults and even for babies, especially when blended with other fruits. For athletes, avocado is a nutritious energy booster to rev up the body’s strength.

In the past, avocado has been considered to be an aphrodisiac. In fact, the Aztecs used the avocado as a sex stimulant and its name for the fruit as ahuacatl, which means “testicle.” Because of this well-entrenched reputation for inducing sexual prowess, avocado wasn’t purchased or consumed by any person wishing to protect their image from slanderous assault.

Although edible by themselves, avocados are commonly used as a base in dips. In areas where the fruit is commonly grown, a common breakfast is avocado on toast. This is made by mashing the avocado with some lemon ‘juice, salt and pepper and spreading on hot freshly toasted bread.

Actually, the avocado fruit is not sweet, but fatty, distinctly yet subtly flavored, and of smooth, almost creamy texture. In Brazil and Vietnam, avocados are frequently used for milkshakes and occasionally added to ice cream and other desserts. In Indonesia, a dessert drink is made with sugar, milk or water, and pureed avocado.

In the Philippines, ripe avocado is often eaten as a snack by scooping from flesh from the skin then mixed with some sugar and milk or cream. Most Filipinos simply find the taste so delicious!

In Australia, avocado is commonly served in sandwiches, often with chicken. In Mexico, avocado is served mixed with white rice, in soups salads, or on the side of chicken and meat. In Peru avocados are consumed with tequenos as mayonnaise, served as a side dish with parillas, used in salads and sandwiches, or as a whole dish when filled with tuna, shrimps, or chicken.

There are many health benefits you can get when rating avocado. Recent studies have shown that high avocado intake has effect on blood serum cholesterol levels. Specifically, after a seven day diet rich in avocados, hypercholesterolemia patients showed a 17% decrease in total serum cholesterol levels. These subjects also showed a 22% decrease in both LDL (low-density lipoprotein or “bad cholesterol”) and triglyceride levels and 11% increase in HDL (high-density lipoprotein or “good -cholesterol”) levels.

Researchers have also discovered that avocados are rich in beta-sitosterol, .a natural substance shown to significantly lower blood cholesterol levels. In a review article published in the December 1999 issue of the American Journal of Medicine, researchers pointed out that beta-sitosterol was shown to reduce cholesterol in 16 human studies.

But before you pile avocados onto every dish, remember that when it comes to calories, avocados have lots of them -because of all that fat. Fat of any type has double the calories of the same amount of carbohydrates. “Avocados add great variety to a well balanced, low-fat diet, but you have to eat them in moderation,” reminds Melanie Polk, a registered dietitian and director of nutrition education at the American Institute for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C.

A recommended serving size is 2 tablespoons, or roughly one-sixth of a medium-sized avocado. Each serving provides 5 grams of fat and 55 calories. Still, compared with butter or mayonnaise – which each pack 22 fat grams and 200 calories in a 2-tablespoon serving – they don’t seem so bad.

Avocado is also an excellent remedy for dry skin. Rub the inside of the skins against clean skin. For a face mask, mix 1/4 cup each of avocado puree and sour cream. Gently rub on face and neck, avoiding the sensitive areas around the eyes, and let it soak in about 15 minutes. Rinse with tepid water. Then gently massage the invisible oil into the skin with an upward and outward motion.

However, here’s a word of warning: There is documented evidence that animals such as cats, dogs, cattle, goats, rabbits, rats, birds, fish and horses can be severely harmed or even killed when they consume the avocado leaves, bark, skin, or pit. The avocado fruit is poisonous to some birds.

The reason for this is that avocado leaves contain a toxic fatty acid derivative known as pe’rsin. The symptoms include gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress, congestion, fluid accumulation around the tissues of the heart and even death. Birds also seem to be particularly sensitive to this toxic compound. Negative effects in humans seem to be primarily in allergic individuals.

Avocado has a long history of cultivation in Central and South, America. It was introduced into the Philippines in 18yo by the Spaniards through seeds coming from Mexico. However, it was only from 1902 to 1907 that avocado was introduced successfully into the Philippines by the Americans.

According to a report from the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the country had a total area of 4,753 hectares planted with avocado from 1990-1997. The Average annual production was estimated at 45,864 tons.

Leading producing regions of the country are the Cagayan Valley, Central Visayas and Southern Tagalog, while the leading producing provinces are Bohol, located in Central Visayas and Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Cagayan which are located in the Cagayan Valley.

The FAO report said most regions of the country, however, have low productivity since avocado is grown mostly as a backyard tree or as a component of a mixed orchard with little or no- care at all.

“Avocado has a bright potential for development in the country,” says Rachel C. Sotto in a position paper published by FAO. For one, avocado can be grown anywhere in the country. “This is due to the introduction of several varieties belonging to the three different avocado races, giving the crop a wide range of soil and climatic adaptability,” she writes.

For another, the avocado has a long fruiting season. “In the Philippines, the peak of the fruiting season is from May to September, although some trees in certain localities fruit from January to March.”

Sotto is batting for the growing of avocado in the country because the fruit has a big potential for generating dollar revenues for the country. In the United States, avocado is sold at a very high price. Although avocado is listed as a fruit in the Philippines, it is considered a vegetable in the US.

“Avocados are often put on hamburgers and ham sandwiches,” reports the Philippine News Agency. “They are also used on carne asada tacos. In South Texas, peanut butter and avocado sandwiches are popular lunch box items, most commonly associated with Mexican-Americans. Avocados are also combined with eggs, in scrambled eggs, and in tortillas or omelettes.”

By Henrylito D. Tacio

The Leader
ACTRESS @ CELEBRETIES HOT PHOTOS
Young and Adult Sexual Reprouctive Health
Organic Farming