“Universal health coverage is the ultimate expression of fairness,” stressed Dr. Margaret Chan in her acceptance speech for her second five-year term as Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) during the World Health Assembly last May 23, 2012.
Read more: WHO Director-General champions universal health coverage
Are you at risk of hypertension?
According to Dr. Nemencio A. Nicodemus, Jr., Director of the Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (PSEM), there are ideal heart-healthy numbers for the body to be maintained to prevent hypertension.
“Stage one hypertension occurs when an individual obtained a blood pressure of 140 over 90. Even if you are a teenager and you reached that certain level, you are already hypertensive. Normal blood pressure should be 120 over 70 and below,” he explained.
Read more: Maintain heart-healthy numbers to prevent hypertension, says expert
“Salt intake should not exceed two grams per day,” said Dr. Gabriel Jasul Jr., President of the Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism during the 3rd National Hypertension Awareness celebration held at Universidad de Manila on 19 May 2012.
“21 percent of Filipino adults are hypertensive,” said Dr. Dante Morales, President of the Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH) during the National Hypertension Awareness celebration conducted at the Universidad De Manila on 19 May 2012.
Hypertension is considered as the biggest single risk factor for deaths worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hypertension causes 7 million deaths every year while 1.5 billion people suffer due to its complications.
Read more: Prevalence of hypertension among Filipinos increasing - PSH
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 80 percent of women in developing countries are affected with cervical cancer. The disease is often prevalent in countries where cervical cancer screening and treatment systems are weak or non-existent.
Read more: WHO pushes for inclusion of HPV vaccination in national immunization programs
