Regional entries to DOH 2010 Red Orchid Awards bared
The regional entries to the 2010 Red Orchids Awards sponsored by the Department of Health are already identified, according to DOH-6 director Dr. Ariel Valencia.
These are the Municipality of Anilao for the Local Government Unit category, the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Hospital for the retained hospital, and the DOH-CHD 6 for the regional offices category.
Dr. Valencia said the National Validation Team composed of representatives from the National Center for Health Promotion, civil Service Commission (CSC) and the FCAD are in the region to validate the entries.
Valencia said the awardees are chosen on the strength of their comprehensive efforts to implement a 100 percent Smoke-free environment following the World Health Organization (WHO) initiative called MPOWER, which stands for six tobacco control policies.
These are 1) Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies; 2) Protect people from tobacco smoke; 3) Offer help to quit tobacco use; 4) Warn about dangers of tobacco; 5) Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and, 6) Raise taxes on tobacco.
He said the Red Orchid Award is one of the many efforts of the DOH to curb the tobacco epidemic in the country.
Together with the CSC the Red Orchid Awards was launched as a response not only to the provisions of RA 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 but to the fact that tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death which kills 5.4 million people each year, from lung cancer, heart disease and other tobacco related diseases.
Valencia also said that as smoking in the Philippines rank the highest in the world. Implementing a 100 percent Smoke Free environment in the DOH central and regional offices, hospitals and LGUs is the start of protecting the people from the harmful effects of tobacco use and exposure.
The awardees will receive recognition as one of the Best Practices in the National Tobacco Prevention and control Program, while the LGU that will be in the Award Roster for three consecutive years shall be provided with grants to sustain its tobacco prevention and control efforts. (DOH-CHD6/PIA6/ESS)
