3 February 2007. Beware of Hepa-B!
By Perry Gil S. Mallari
THE Hepatitis B virus, which is found to be 100 times more infectious than the AIDS virus, is on a silent rampage in the Philippines. Hepa-B, as it is commonly called, is the most known cause of cancer and cirrhosis. The Department of Health (DOH) reported that 70 percent or 58 million Filipinos had already been exposed to the Hepatiris-B virus. Of the said number, 10 to 12 percent or 7 million are chronically infected, and 30 percent or 2.1 million will develop liver ailments when they hit the age of 30 to 50.
One thing that makes the Hepa-B virus surreptitiously deadly is the fact that most of its victims remain asymptomatic for years, which make them walking time bombs. Like the dreaded AIDS, Hepatitis-B can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, use of contaminated needle, or from an infected pregnant mother to her child during delivery.
The menace of Hepatitis-B is an impending doom not only to the Philippines but the rest of the world. Statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that as many as 2 billion people globally have been infected with the virus. An estimated 350 million people are chronic carriers and at least 1 million die each year from the disease, making it the ninth leading cause of death worldwide. In the Philippines, lung cancer is the No. 1 cause of death and tugging closely at No. 2 is liver cancer, which is the usual consequence of contracting the Hepa-B virus.
Joining forces
To raise awareness on the dangers of Hepatitis-B, top medical practitioners in the field of gastroenterology and infectious diseases will join hands and minds for the third Hepatitis-B Summit on February 22 at the New World Hotel in Makati.
This year's summit is a collaborative effort of the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology, Hepatology Society of the Philippines (HSP), Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, Philippine Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS), Philippine College of Occupational Medicine and Private Schools Health Officers Association. The DoH and the WHO will also participate in the event with support from GlaxoSmithKline and the Medical Observer.
In the press briefing for the event, the following physicians sat on the panel of experts: Dr. Erlinda V. Valdellon, president of HSP; Dr. Lulu C. Bravo, professor of pediatrics; Dr. Jose D. Sollano Jr., professor of medicine; Dr. Jaime D. Ignacio, chief gastroenterologist of the Veterans Memorial Hospital, Dr. Lyndon Lee Sy, DoH representative, and Dr. Jean-Marc Olivé, WHO country representative.
Vaccination
Despite the threat that Hepatitis-B poses, the good news is there is a vaccine available to combat the disease. The WHO released a universal guideline in 1990 stating that all newborn babies should be given a shot of anti-Hepa-B vaccine within 24-hours after birth. It took the Philippines 17 years before this preventive measure was aggressively pushed.
Just recently, the DOH under the leadership of Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd acquired the country's supply of after-birth anti-Hepa-B vaccine for 2006 to 2007. It is also during Duque's tenure that the anti-Hepa-B birth-dose policy was signed in September 2006. Rallying for the cause in the Senate was Sen. Pia Cayetano who pushed for the 100-percent appropriation of the budget for Hepa-B vaccine until 2010. Despite these commendable efforts, there is one last thing that stands in the way of a successful vaccination campaign and that is a pending legislation in the Senate that will make the birth-dose policy into a law.
Prevention and early detection
As in any other disease, prevention and early detection are the keys to saving lives from Hepatitis B. Sollano, in his lecture at the press briefing said that not only can detection prolong the life of a Hepa-B carrier but it can also save him from financial woes.
Using figures from a United States study on how much money a patient might spend on treatment at various stages of the disease, he reported that a person who submits himself to voluntary testing early, spends around $65 on various medical expenditures upon discovering the disease. However, those whose diseases are already in the advance stage, such as patients who have already developed liver cancer or cirrhosis, the amount could go as high as $19,000 to $22,000. Vaccination is clearly better and cheaper than early detection, Sollano emphasized. Studies further show that the Hepa-B vaccine has a 98- to 100-percent rate of success when administered very early in life. Indonesia, Taiwan and Nauru all have minimal statistics of liver cancer in their territories because of aggressive vaccination campaign against the disease.
For more details regarding the Hepa-B Summit, call the Hepa-B hotlines at: (02) 893-9355; (0915) 294-2255; (0918) 692-9742 or e-mail hepab_summit@yahoo.com. Registration is free.
23 February 2007. Noli says 8m Pinoys afflicted with Hepatitis B
Manila Standard Today
SAYING the Hepatitis B virus is "just as treacherous as the much-dreaded AIDS virus," Vice President Noli de Castro yesterday rallied the medical community to join hands with the government and the public in fighting and preventing its spread.
Keynoting the third Hep B Summit at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati City, De Castro noted that about eight million Filipinos are infected with the Hepatitis B virus, which may lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. He said health statistics also show that about 7,000 Filipinos have been found to have liver cancer, likely due to Hepatitis B.
"Let our fight against Hepa-B proceed on full steam. Our action should be driven by a sense of urgency of the highest level," said De Castro, sharing his painful experience of losing his father to liver cancer and his older brother to liver cirrhosis.
"Liver-cancer patients can hope to fight for their lives for three months, but less than 6 percent survive for five years, and nobody is expected to last beyond 10 years," he said.
"I should know," he said, recalling that his father died of liver cancer when he was still in the fifth grade in Pola, Oriental Mindoro. Recently, his older brother succumbed to liver cirrhosis.
De Castro outlined a three-point strategy to stem the spread of Hepatitis B, including the aggressive implementation of the Hepa-B immunization program.
He noted that Republic Act 7864, enacted in 1994, mandates immunization for all infants and children under eight years old.
"But while the law is in place, the administrative mechanisms to implement it are sorely lacking," he lamented.
He said there are very few hospitals and health clinics that take the pains of screening pregnant mothers for Hepatitis B and "fewer still provide vaccination of infants at birth."
An infected mother can pass on the virus to her child during birth and vaccination can help stop the transmission.
Also calling attention to the risk that migrant Filipino workers face, De Castro also endorsed a proposal to integrate Hepa-B protection "as part of the pre-departure processing" of migrant workers.
He noted that because of the high prevalence of Hepatitis B in the Philippines, which is considered among the "hot spots" by the World Health Organization, "marahil ay dapat nating siguruhin na hindi magiging daan ang ating mga OFWs upang kumalat ang sakit sa ibang lugar."
He said vaccination would also ensure protection against the virus for migrant workers.
"Hindi lamang ang buhay nila ang nakataya dito, kundi pati na rin ang buhay ng ating ekonomiya," he told doctors and other health workers attending the summit organized by several health organizations in collaboration with the Department of Health, World Health Organization, Medical Observer and GlaxoSmithKline.
De Castro also said awareness about the disease need to be raised. "Many people diagnosed with Hepa-B were not aware that they were infected until it was too late," he said. He noted that while doctors and health workers know that a vaccine is available, "sadly, the rest of our people do not know, or worse, do not care."
The third strategy, he said, is to secure funding for the campaign. "Like many things in government, [securing] funding for a social-development program requires political will. And let me assure you, there is political will," he said
23 February 2007. De Castro rallies medical community to join fight against hepatitis-B
The Daily Tribune
Saying the hepatitis-B virus is "just as treacherous as the much-dreaded AIDS virus," Vice President Noli de Castro yesterday rallied the medical community to join hands with the government and the public in fighting and preventing its spread.
Keynoting the third Hep B Summit at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati City, De Castro noted that about eight million Filipinos are infected with the hepatitis-B virus which may lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. He said health statistics also show that about 7,000 Filipinos have been found to have liver cancer, likely due to hepatitis B.
"Let our fight against hepa-B proceed on full steam. Our action should be driven by a sense of urgency of the highest level," De Castro said, sharing his painful experience of losing his father to liver cancer and his older brother to liver cirrhosis.
"Liver cancer patients can hope to fight for their lives for three months, but less than six percent survive for five years, and nobody is expected to last beyond 10 years," he said.
"I should know," he said, recalling that his father died of liver cancer when he was still in the fifth grade in POla, Oriental Mindoro. Recently, his older brother succumbed to liver cirrhosis.
De Castro outlined a three-point strategy to stem the spread of the hepatitis B, including the aggressive implementation of the hepa-B immunization program.
He noted the Republic Act 7864, enacted in 1994, mandates immunization for all infants and children under eight years old.
"But while the law is in place, the administrative mechanisms to implement it are sorely lacking," he lamented.
He said there are very few hospitals and health clinics that take the pains of screening pregnant mothers for hepatitis B and "fewer still provide vaccination of infants at birth.
An infected mother can pass on the virus to her child during birth and vaccination can help stop the transmission.
Also calling attention to the risk that overseas Filipino workers face, De Castro also endorsed a proposal to integrate hepa-B protection "as part of the pre-departure processing" of OFWs.
He noted that because of the high prevalence of hepatitis B in the Philippines, which is considered among the "hot spots" by the World Health Organization, "marahil ay dapat nating siguruhin na hindi magiging daan an gating mga OFWs upang kumalat and sakit sa ibang lugar."
He said vaccination would also ensure protection against the virus for OFWs.
"Hindi lamang ang buhay nila ang nakataya ditto, kundi pati na rin ang buhay ng ating ekonomiya,"
he told doctors and other health workers attending the summit organized by several health organizations in collaboration with the Department of Health, World Health Organization, Medical Observer and GlaxoSmithKline.
De Castro also said awareness about the disease needs to be raised. "Many people diagnosed with hepa-B were not aware that they were infected until it was too late, "he said. He noted that while doctors and health workers know that a vaccine is available, "sadly, the rest of our people do not know, or worse, do not care."
The third strategy, he said, is to secure funding for the campaign. "Like many things in government, (securing) funding for a social-development program requires political will. And let me assure you there is political will, "he said.
23 February 2007. Noli rallies medical community, gov't, public in tight vs hepatitis-b
Manila Bulletin
Saying the hepatitis-B virus is "just as treacherous as the much-dreaded AIDS virus," Vice President Noli de Castro yesterday rallied the medical community to join hands with the government and the public in fighting and preventing its spread.
Keynoting the third Hep B Summit at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati City, De Castro noted that about eight million Filipinos are infected with the hepatitis-B virus which may lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. He said health statistics also show that about 7,000 Filipinos have been found to have liver cancer, likely due to hepatitis B.
"Liver-cancer patients can hope to fight for their lives for three months, but less than 6 percent survive for five years, and nobody is expected to last beyond 10 years," he said.
"I should know," he said, recalling that his father died of liver cancer when he was still in the fifth grade in Pola, Oriental Mindoro. Recently, his older brother succumbed to liver cirrhosis.
De Castro outlined a three-point strategy to stem the spread of Hepatitis B, including the aggressive implementation of the Hepa-B immunization program.
He said Republic Act 7864, enacted in 1994, mandates immunization for all infants and childen under eight years old. "But while the law is in place, the administrative mechanisms to implement it are sorely lacking,"he lamented.
There are very few hospitals and health clinics that take pains to screen pregnant mothers for hepatitis-B and "fewer still provide vaccination of infants at birth."
De Castro also endorsed as a second strategy a proposal to integrate hepa-B protection "as part of the pre-departure processing" of OFWs.
He noted that because of the high prevalence of hepatitis-B in the Philippines, which is considered among the "hot spots" by the World Health Organization, "marahil ay dapat nating siguruhin na hindi magiging daan an gating mga OFWs upang kumalat ang sakit sa ibang lugar."
He said vaccination would also ensure protection against the virus for OFWs.
"Hindi lamang ang buhay nila ang nakataya ditto, kundi pati na rin ang buhay n gating ekonomiya," he told doctors and other health workers attending the summit organized by several health organizations in collaboration with the Department of Health, the World Health Organization, the Medical Observer, and GlaxoSmithKline.
The third strategy, he said, is to secure funding for the campaign. "Like many things in government (securing) funding for a social-development program requires political will. And let me assure you, there is political will, "he said.
Pebrero 23, 2007. Kampanya vs Hepa B, isinulong ni VP Noli
Balita
Habang abala ang bansa para sa darating na halalan, isinulong ni Vice President Noli 'Kabayan' De Castro ang kampanya para sa kalusugan ng mamamayan, partikularang laban sa nakamamatay na Hepatitis B.
Sa pagsisimula ng Third Hepa-B Summit sa Renaissance Hotel sa Makati kahapon, sinabi ni De Castro na inilalagay ng Hepa B ang bansa sa isang 'delikadong sitwasyon' at kinakailangan ang pinagsamang lakas ng gobyerno, pribadong sector at international organizations upang magtagumpay ang kampanya laban sa naturang sakit.
Itinuturing ni De Castro ang Hepa B na katulad ng kinakatakutang AIDS virus.
Sinabi ni De Castro na may 7,000 Pilipino ang may liver cancer at Hepa B ang pinaniniwalaang sanhi nito. Ipinahayag din ng pangalawang pangulo na may 8 milyong Pilipino ang infected ng Hepa B.
Ang Hepa B ay isang sakit na lalong lumalaki ang tiyansa ng isang tao na magkaroon ng cirrhosis at liver cancer. Posibleng makuha ang Hepa B sa mga kontaminadong karayom, blood transfusion, unprotected sex at sa pagsilang ng sanggol.
Tatlong buwan lamang ang taning na ibinigay sa mga may Hepa B. Wala pang anim na porsiyento sa mga ito ang umaabot ng limang taon para mabuhay. At walang lumalagpas sa 10 taon para mabuhay ang sinumang may naturang karamdaman.
"I should know. Naranasan kong mawalan ng dalawang mahal sa buhay dahil sa cancer of the liver. Ang una si Itay. Grade 5 pa lamang ako sa Pola Mindoro nang pumanaw si Itay sa sakit na liver cancer. And recently si Kuya naman na ang dignosis ay cirrhosis of the liver din," ayon kay De Castro.
Sinabi ni De Castro na kinakailangang ang agarang pagkilos para labanan ang Hepa B.
"Kung tutuusin, dapat ay noon pa ito pinaglalaanan ng kaukulang pansin at aksiyon. Ngunit ang mahalaga ngayon ay magkakaroon tayo ng mga hakbang na may kaakibat na pagpapahalaga sa pinakamataas na antas,' ani De Castro.
Bagamat may mga luma nang batas na nakatuon sa pagsugpo ng Hepa B, sinabi ni De Castro na kulang naman ang mga mekanismo upang maipatupad ito.
Ipinaliwanag ni De Castro na sumailalim ang mga sanggol at mga bata noon sa immunization sa pagpapatupad ng Republic Act 7846 ngunit kakakaunti lamang ang mga ospital at health clinic na matiyagang gumawa ng Hepa B screening para sa mga buntis.
Kaya ngayon naman ay isinusulong ni De Castro ang mas agresibong pagpapatupad ng immunization program gayundin ang pagpapalawak sa kaalaman ng taumbayan ukol sa Hepa B.
Sinabi rin ni De Castro na kinakailangang magkaroon ng mas maraming pondo upang suportahan ang anti-Hepa B campaign.
Ang 3rd Hepa B Summit ay naisagawa sa pagkikipagtulungan ng Department of Health, Philippine Society of Gastroenterology, Hepatology Society of the Philippines, Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, Philippine College of Occupational Medicine, Private School Health Officers association at ng Philippine association for the Study of Liver Disease.
Pebrero 23, 2007. Kampanya vs Hepa B, isinulong ni Noli
Remate
Habang abala ang bansa para sa darating na halalan, isinulong ni Vice President Noli 'Kabayan' De Castro ang kampanya para sa kalusugan ng mamamayan, partikularang laban sa nakamamatay na Hepatitis B.
Sa pagsisimula ng Third Hepa-B Summit sa Renaissance Hotel sa Makati kahapon, sinabi ni De Castro na inilalagay ng Hepa B ang bansa sa isang 'delikadong sitwasyon' at kinakailangan ang pinagsamang lakas ng gobyerno, pribadong sector at international organizations upang magtagumpay ang kampanya laban sa sakit.
Itinuturing ni De Castro ang Hepa B na katulad ng kinakatakutang AIDS virus.
Sinabi ni De Castro na may 7,000 Pinoy ang may liver cancer at ang Hepa B ang pinaniniwalaang pinagmulan nito. May 8 milyong Pilipino ang sinasabing infected nito.
Ang Hepa B ay isang sakit kung saan lalong lumalaki ang tiyansa ng isang tao na magkaroon ng cirrhosis at liver cancer. Posibleng makuha ito sa mga kontaminadong karayom, blood transfusion, unprotected sex at sa pagsilang ng sanggol. I should know. Naranasan kong mawalan ng dalawang mahal sa buhay dahil sa cancer of the liver. Ang una si Itay. Grade 5 pa lamang ako sa Pola Mindoro nang pumanaw si Itay sa sakit na liver cancer. And recently si Kuya naman na ang dignosis ay cirrhosis of the liver din," ayon kay De Castro.
Sinabi ni De Castro na kinakailangang ang agarang pagkilos para labanan ang Hepa B. "Kung tutuusin, dapat ay noon pa ito pinaglalaanan ng kaukulang pansin at aksiyon. Ngunit ang mahalaga ngayon ay magkakaroon tayo ng mga hakbang na may kaakibat na pagpapahalaga sa pinakamataas na antas,' ani De Castro.
Bagamat may mga luma nang batas na nakatuon sa pagsugpo ng Hepa B, sinabi ni De Castro na kulang naman ang mga mekanismo upang maipatupad ito.
Sumasailalaim na ang mga sanggol at mga bata noon sa immunization sa pagpapatupad ng Republic Act 7846 ngunit kakaunti lamang ang mga ospital at health clnic na matiyagang gumawa ng Hepa B screening para sa mga buntis kaya ngayon ay isinusulong ni De Castro ang mas agresibong pagpapatupad ng immunization program gayunding ang pagpapalawak ng kaalaman ng taumbayan. Kailangan lang magkaroon ng mas maraming pondo upang suportahan ang kampanya rito.
Ang 3rd Hepa B Summit ay naisagawa sa pakikipagtulungan nd DOH, Philippine Society of Gastroenterology, Hepatology Society of the Phil., Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, Philippine College of Occupational Medicine, Private School Health Officers Association at ng Phil. Association for the Study of Liver Disease.
Pebrero 23, 2007. Noli rallies docs in fight vs hepa-B
Tonight
Vice President Noli"Kabayan" de Castro yesterday rallied the medical community in fight versus hepatitis B saying it is"just as treacherous at the much-dreaded AIDS virus.
Keynoting the third Hep B Summit at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati City, De Castro noted that about eight million Filipinos are infected with the hepatitis-B virus which may lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. He said health statistics also show that about 7,000 Filipinos have been found to have liver cancer, likely due to hepatitis B.
"Let our fight against hepa-B proceed on full steam. Our action should be driven by a sense of urgency of the highest level," De Castro said, sharing his painful experience of losing his father to liver cancer and his older brother to liver cirrhosis.
"Liver cancer patients can hope to fight for their lives for three months, but less than six percent survive for five years, and nobody is expected to last beyond 10 years," he said.
"I should know," he said, recalling that his father died of liver cancer when he was still in the fifth grade in Pola, Oriental Mindoro. Recently, his older brother succumbed to liver cirrhosis.
De Castro outlined a three-point strategy to stem the spread of Hepatitis B, including the aggressive implementation of the Hepa-B immunization program.
He noted that Republic Act 7864, enacted in 1994, mandates immunization for all infants and childen under eight years old.
"But while the law is in place, the administrative mechanisms to implement it are sorely lacking,"he lamented.
He said there are very few hospitals and health clinics that take pains of screening pregnant mothers for hepatitis-B and "fewer still provide vaccination of infants at birth."
Pebrero 23, 2007. 'Kabayan' steps up war on Hepa B
People's Journal
Saying the hepatitis-B virus is "just as treacherous and deadly as AIDS, Vice President Noli de Castro yesterday called on the medical community to join hands with the government to stop the disease from spreading.
De Castro said about eight million Filipinos are infected with the hepa-B virus, which may lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer, likely due to hepatitis B.
"Let our fight against hepa B proceeds on full steam. Our action should be driven by a sense of urgency of the highest level," De Castro told the Hepa B Summit held in Makati City.
"Liver cancer patients can hope to fight for their lives for three months, but less than six percent survive for five years, and nobody is expected to last beyond 10 years," he said.
He said his father died of liver cancer and his elder brother also succumbed to liver cirrhosis.
De Castro outlined a three-point strategy to stem the spread of Hepatitis B, including the aggressive implementation of the Hepa-B immunization program raising public awareness of the disease and securing more funds for the campaign.
He noted that Republic Act 7864, enacted in 1994, mandates immunization for all infants and childen under eight years old. "But while the law is in place, the administrative mechanisms to implement it are sorely lacking,"he lamented.
The Philippines is considered among the "hot spots" by the World Health Organization, because of the high prevalence of Hepa B.
De Castro also said awareness about the disease needs to be raised. "Many people diagnosed with hepa-B were not aware that they were infected until it was too late, "he said. He noted that while doctors and health workers know that a vaccine is available, "sadly, the rest of our people do not know, or worse, do not care."
February 26, 2007. VP Noli rallies medical community in fight vs Hepa-B
The Philippine Chronicle
Saying the hepatitis-B virus is "just as treacherous as the much-dreaded AIDS virus," Vice President Noli de Castro yesterday rallied the medical community to join hands with the government and the public in fighting and preventing its spread.
Keynoting the third Hep B Summit at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati City, De Castro noted that about eight million Filipinos are infected with the hepatitis-B virus which may lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. He said health statistics also show that about 7,000 Filipinos have been found to have liver cancer, likely due to hepatitis B.
"Liver-cancer patients can hope to fight for their lives for three months, but less than 6 percent survive for five years, and nobody is expected to last beyond 10 years," he said.
"I should know," he said, recalling that his father died of liver cancer when he was still in the fifth grade in Pola, Oriental Mindoro. Recently, his older brother succumbed to liver cirrhosis.
De Castro outlined a three-point strategy to stem the spread of Hepatitis B, including the aggressive implementation of the Hepa-B immunization program.
He noted Republic Act 7864, enacted in 1994, mandates immunization for all infants and childen under eight years old. "But while the law is in place, the administrative mechanisms to implement it are sorely lacking,"he lamented.
He said there are very few hospitals and health clinics that take pains to screen pregnant mothers for hepatitis-B and "fewer still provide vaccination of infants at birth."
An infected mother can pass on the virus to her child during birth and vaccination can help stop the transmission.
Also calling attention to the risk that Overseas Filipino Workers face, De Castro also endorsed a proposal to integrate hepa-B protection "as part of the pre-departure processing " of OFWs.
He noted that because of the high prevalence of hepatitis-B in the Philippines, which is considered among the "hot spots" by the World Health Organization, "marahil ay dapat nating siguruhin na hindi magiging daan an gating mga OFWs upang kumalat ang sakit sa ibang lugar."
He said vaccination would also ensure protection against the virus for OFWs.
"Hindi lamang ang buhay nila ang nakataya ditto, kundi pati na rin ang buhay n gating ekonomiya," he told doctors and other health workers attending the summit organized by several health organizations in collaboration with the Department of Health, the World Health Organization, the Medical Observer, and GlaxoSmithKline.
De Castro also said awareness about the disease needs to be raised. "Many people diagnosed with hepa-B were not aware that they were infected until it was too late, "he said. He noted that while doctors and health workers know that a vaccine is available, "sadly, the rest of our people do not know, or worse, do not care."
The third strategy, he said, is to secure funding for the campaign. "Like many things in government (securing) funding for a social-development program requires political will. And let me assure you, there is political will, "he said.
Hepa-B Summit
The Manila Bulletin
Vice President Noli de Castro is presented a certificate of appreciation after addressing the Hepa-B Summit at the New World Renaissance Hotel in Makati City held by the Asia-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver. With De Castro are May Bautista and Millie Lozada of GlaxoSmithKline Phils. And Dr. Jose Sollano. De Castro called on the medical community to join hands in preventing the spread of the Hepa-B which, he said, is just as treacherous as AIDS.
March 5, 2007. Third Hep B Summit
Business Mirror
Vice President Noli De Castro looks amused at the framed cartoon depicting him as a hepatitis-B warrior which organizers of last week's Third Hep B Summit presented to him as a token for being the keynote speaker. In his address, de Castro rallied the medical community to join hands with the government and the public in stemming the tide of the hepatitis B virus that has infected about 10 percent of the population. The cartoon was drawn by head-and-neck surgeon William Billones, scientific consultant to Medical Observer. Looking on are Jena Fetalino, president of Medical Observer, Dr. Ernesto Que, president of the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology, Dr. Jose Sollano, past president of the Asia-Pacific Association for the Study of Liver, and Mildred Lozada, vice president for commercial vaccine of GlaxoSmithKline.
March 3, 2007. De Castro At Hepa B Summit
Manila Bulletin
Vice President Noli De Castro looks amused at the framed cartoon depicting him as a hepatitis-B warrior which organizers of last week's Third Hep B Summit presented to him as a token for being the keynote speaker. In his address, de Castro rallied the medical community to join hands with the government and the public in stemming the tide of the hepatitis B virus that has infected about 10 percent of the population. The cartoon was drawn by head-and-neck surgeon William Billones, scientific consultant to Medical Observer. Looking on are Jena Fetalino, president of Medical Observer, Dr. Ernesto Que, president of the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology, Dr. Jose Sollano, past president of the Asia-Pacific Association for the Study of Liver, and Mildred Lozada, vice president for commercial vaccine of GlaxoSmithKline.
