Aklan prov’l hospital, PhilHealth-Aklan and LGU Buruanga get DoH Red Orchid awards

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

RED ORCHID AWARD. Strict enforcement of anti-tobacco smoking campaign in the communities of Buruanga, Aklan / PHOTO BY Provincial Health Office -Aklan

Aklan province has three recipients of the Department of Health (DoH) Red Orchid Awards for Western Visayas this year for strictly enforcing tobacco control measures.  

Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH), a government health facility in Kalibo, Aklan, was cited for implementing 100% tobacco-free environment to protect the public from the hazards of tobacco smoke and exposure to secondhand smoke.

Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth) field office Aklan and the Municipality of Buruanga, Aklan were also recipients of Red Orchid awards for their commitment to enforce a smoke-free policy in their areas. 

The specially-designed trophies and certificates of appreciation were awarded on July 1 at Kalantiaw Hall of Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center in Iloilo City. 

In addition, the LGU’s winning the Red orchid Award received P 100,000 worth of drugs and medicines for non-communicable diseases. 

Assistant Secretaries for Health Dr. Enrique Tayag and Dr. Paulyn Jean Russel-Ubial, Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and DoH regional director Dr. Marlyn Convocar graced the awarding ceremony. 

In 2001, the red orchid was used by WHO in its World No Tobacco Day advocacy as a symbol of a tobacco-free world and to remind the public of the hazards of tobacco smoking.

The Red Orchid awardees in the region were judged using the World Health Organization’s “MPOWER” initiative and the six proven tobacco control policies such as Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies; Protect people from tobacco smoke; Offer help to quit tobacco use; Warn against the dangers of tobacco; Enforce bans on tobacco advertising; and Raise taxes on tobacco.

The Red Orchid Awards were given in 2010 after the DoH issued Adinistrative Order No. 10 in 2009 that seeks to encourage total ban on smoking in hospital, government offices, health facilities and public places. 

Now on its fifth year, a total of 23 entries vied for the 2014  DoH’s Red Orchid awards in the region in four categories, namely local government units, government hospitals, government offices, and DoH-Centers for Health Development and DoH hospitals.

After the submission of self assessment and nomination forms to the DoH-Center for Health Development (CHD) in the region, a multi-sectoral validation team conducted the validation of all entries. 

Qualified nominees were submitted to DoH Central Office Awards Committee composed of DoH, Civil Service Commission, WHO, Philippine Ambulatory Pediatric Association and Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines for final deliberation, rating and announcement of winners.