First Safeguard Health Watch Series: World Health Day

April 7 is World Health Day, and in line with this, Procter & Gamble Philippines through Safeguard together with the Department of Health (DOH) and UNICEF invited mommy bloggers last April 6 to an exclusive lunch and roundtable discussion at the Romulo Cafe, Jupiter, Makati.

Health overall is a state of complete physical, social and mental wellness. In this particular event, we discussed the factual studies about the deadly diseases, the importance of awareness and general health condition of the Filipinos. Aside from that, we were also taught on how to help others and ourselves in preventing it, hence upgrading life and prolonging  it.

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Learn more about Safeguard's Health Watch here.

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In the Philippines, 1 pregnant woman in four is anemic and nutritionally at risk.

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Based on health statistics, the Philippines is one of the 42 countries that account for 90% of under-five mortality worldwide.

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82,000 Filipino children under five years old die every year.

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37% of them are newborn.

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Majority of them (3/4) die within the first two days of life. Mostly due to stressful events or conditions during labor, delivery and immediate postpartum period.

*click photo to enlarge

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Notable speakers introduced us to facts and lectures about health and hygiene practices in the Philippines.

• UNANG YAKAP CAMPAIGN - Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care (ENC Protocol) was launched by the DOH to provide an evidenced-based, low cost, low technology package of interventions that will surely save thousands of lives. After giving births, babies should have skin to skin contact with his mother. The current practice of handling newborns, like clamping and cutting the umbilical cord and washing the baby right after birth, have been known to actually contribute to the high incidence of neonatal deaths and illnesses in the country. Thus the need for a paradigm shift from the prevailing standard procedures into the new protocol. Proper timing of cord clamping also takes a role in preventing newborn death since the cord can help the newborn to breathe. So, until the breathing is stabilized, the cord must be kept intact.

• FIRST ONE THOUSAND DAYS - Proper health and right nutrition in the first 1000 days builds the foundation for a child's ability to grow, learn and earn in the future.

Pregnancy (270 Days) Babies developing in the womb draw all of their nutrients from their mother. If mom lacks key nutrients, so will her baby, putting the child’s future health and development at risk.

Birth to Six Months (180 Days) Breast milk is superfood for babies. Not only is it the best nutrition an infant can get, but it also serves as the first immunization against illness and disease.
Six Months to Two Years (550 Days) Nutrients from a variety of healthy foods are an essential complement to breastmilk to ensure healthy growth and brain development.

Become a UNICEF Champion for Children today. DONATE NOW.

• BREASTFEEDING - I brimmed with pride right after the speaker shared to us that the most effective way in preventing infantile death is through breastfeeding. I let Clyde self-wean at age 4, and I'm willing to do the same for Dave. Antibodies, defense against SIDs, infections, prevent allergies and chronic conditions, even a way to reduce obesity later on in life - breastfeeding really is the best for babies.

While breastfeeding may not seem the right choice for every parent, it is the BEST choice for every BABY. - Amy Spangler

Let's celebrate motherhood and support what's best for our babies out there.

The first best things for babies is her mother.

Her mother's love, her mother's warm embrace and her mother's warm milk.

 

 

• HAND WASHING - One of the things that lingered in my mind was the fact that Diarrhea is included to the  Top Threat Diseases that kills Filipino children under age 5. Diarrhea, a very preventable disease if only guardians keep in their minds to wash their hands all the time.

Demonstration of The 5 Steps For Effective Hand Washing with Safeguard.

Step 1 - Wet your hands using clean, running water when available. Germs can collect in standing water.

Step 2 - Lather the front and back of hands, between fingers, and under fingernails with Safeguard soap. Friction helps lift dirt, grease, and microbes from skin.

Step 3 - Scrub hands together for at least 20 seconds. More germs are removed the longer you scrub. If your kids get impatient, teach them to recite the ABCs twice to reach the 20-second mark.

Step 4 - Rinse hands under clean, running water. Dirt, grease, and microbes—including infectious disease-causing germs—are carried away from skin, which can help minimize skin irritation.

Step 5 - Dry hands completely with a clean towel, or air dry. Germs can be transferred more easily between wet hands.

Again,

Wet. Lather. Scrub. Rinse. Dry.

Take the CLEAN HANDS PLEDGE with Commander Safeguard here.

• FIRST AID KIT - Every household should at least have one first aid kit. These are the must-have residence of our humble First Aid Kit.

Rubbing Alcohol

Gloves

Povidone Iodine

Scissors

Cotton

Triangular Bandages

Gauze pads

Tongue Depressor

Forceps

Penlight

Band Aid

Palster

Elastic Roller Bandage

Occlusive Dressing

• SAMPLE USAGE OF Triangular Bandages - we learned the proper way of folding and keeping the triangular bandages. We also learn some basic usages according to different types of injuries.

• EMERGENCY FIRST AID - We also had the opportunity to asked hair-raising questions that lingers in our mind. I'm not a certified first aider, but being a mom, we must at least know the basic.

Skinned knees. You put alcohol. That is usually our logic. WRONG! (I cringed when I realized that I'm doing it all wrong!)

The Key Objectives of FIRST AID is to

1. Alleviate suffering.
2. Promote recovery.
3. Preserve life.

Skinned knees. Wash with soap on running water from inside to outside. Apply Betadine. Here are some more of the basic first aid.

More First Aid:

Choking Baby: If you can see the blocking object, gently remove. If not, sit down and lay baby face down along your thighs, supporting the head with your hand. Give sharp back blows using the heel of one of your hand in the middle of baby's back in between his shoulder blades.

Swallowed Poison: If there is still some in the mouth, make him spit.  Never make them vomit for it might do worse. Adult or infant, all you have to do is rush the patient to the hospital while keeping in mind the toxin that has been taken.

Poison on Skin: Remove clothing and wash thoroughly with running water and soap before taking the victim to the hospital.

Faint: We learn that fainting is brain's first aid to get energy oxygen whenever the fluid level on the brain is getting low. If you feel like fainting, put your head between your knees. If someone else has fainted, make him lie on his back. Slightly raise his legs. Make sure he is breathing before you call for help.

Prevention is easier than cure, or in this case, first aid. Never leave your child unattended and do not let them play with objects or toys smaller than his fist, sharp or toxic. Learning first aid is a must and knowing the basics is as important as saving one's life. But before helping others, you have to secure yourself first.

While doing this blogpost, I have some realization in life, safety and health in general:

1. Time is important. Two seconds of removing your eyes on the road to check an email or answer a call when you're driving could cost you your life and others. Be aware. Do not take chances. Double Check.
2. Take care of your body because it is the only place you have to live in. "
3. Live. Laugh. Love.

We really had fun while learning and I hope you gained something worthwhile in this post as well. What's more to do? Save life, one share at a time. If you have anything in mind that you would like to learn on the next Health Watch Series, just comment down below!

50 years of Protection. With Safeguard Health comes First!

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I'll end this post with an essay from my favorite short story by Og Mandino:

I will live this day as if it is my last.
I have but one life and life is naught but a measurement of time. When I waste one I destroy the other. If I waste today, I destroy the last page of my life. Therefore, each hour of this day will I cherish for it can never return. It cannot be banked today to be withdrawn on the morrow, for who can trap the wind? Each minute of this day will I grasp with both hands and fondle with love for its value is beyond price. What dying man can purchase another breath though he willingly give all his gold? What price dare I place on the hours ahead? I will make them priceless!...
I will live this day as if it is my last.
And if it is not, I shall fall to my knees and give thanks.

Waking up everyday is a blessing, not a privilege. So don't take it for granted. And by it, I meant health, family and most of all, God.

Defeating germs while singing ABC's twice,

G.