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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Strong women, strong communities: DOH chief stresses importance of women's health

Strong women, strong communities: DOH chief stresses importance of women's health

Published Feb 15, 2025 03:11 am

 

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(MB FILE PHOTO)

 

Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa has underscored the crucial role of women’s health in strengthening communities, emphasizing the need for early cancer detection and greater access to medical services.

 

“Ang isang komunidad ay magiging malakas lang kung malakas ang mga kababaihan. The Philippines is a matriarchal society. We have to take care of women (A community can only be strong if its women are strong. The Philippines is a matriarchal society. We have to take care of women),” he said on Friday, Feb. 14.

 

Herbosa made these remarks as the Department of Health (DOH) launched a free cervical and breast cancer screening program for at least 150 public school teachers at Angelo Loyola School in Carmona, Cavite. 

 

The initiative seeks to address the alarmingly low rates of early cancer screening among Filipino women, with less than one percent undergoing preventive tests.

 

“Sa maagang screening, mas mapapababa ang panganib ng cancer dahil mas magiging maaga ang gamutan habang hindi pa ito malala (With early screening, the risk of cancer decreases because treatment can begin before it becomes severe),” said Herbosa.

 

The DOH said it provided Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) testing, Pap smears, and HPV DNA testing, procedures that typically cost between P2,000 and P10,000. 

 

In addition to cancer screenings, the agency also offered breast ultrasounds, HPV vaccinations, HIV screening, mental health services, and family planning assistance.

 

With cervical cancer ranking as the third most common cancer among Filipinos, Herbosa reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding free screenings to 320,000 women in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), with plans to implement the program nationwide.

 

By prioritizing women’s health, Herbosa emphasized that the government is not just preventing disease but ensuring stronger, healthier communities for the country’s future.

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