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PDS supports the Vaccination Forum of

the Philippine Medical Association

By Dr. Angela Katrina Esguerra, FPDS

he Vaccination Forum of the diseases; DOH program on vaccination and
Philippine Medical Association importance of vaccine awareness among
T(PMA) entitled “Vaccination and communities. Speakers were composed
Its Public Health Impact” was held last of experts in their fields namely, Dr. Lulu
February 28, 2019 at the PMA auditorium. Bravo (Director for Philippine Foundation
All societies were invited to attend and PDS for Vaccination), Dr. Anna Lisa-Lim
was duly represented by our very own PDS (President of Pediatric Infectious Society of
board member, Dr. Arnold Yu and pediatric the Philippines), Dr. Salvacion Gatchalian
dermatologist, Dr. Angela Katrina Esguerra. (President, Philippine Pediatric Society)
Organized by the PMA in cooperation with and Dr. May Montellano (Immediate Past
the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination President of the Philippine Foundation for
and Pharmaceutical and Health Care Vaccination).
Association of the Philippines, this
endeavor aimed to increase knowledge Dr. Esguerra and Dr. Yu representing the PDS in this PMA event It is unfortunate that the country is
among healthcare providers and media on suffering from a measles outbreak resulting
the value, science, and safety of vaccination from 2018 with deaths numbering more to quite a significant number of deaths
amidst low vaccination trust, confidence than 300 as of this writing. when this is supposed to be a preventable
and coverage among communities and to disease. Towards the end of the forum,
ensure proper and correct dissemination Experts in the field of vaccination participants were requested to make a
of information in light of the the Dengvaxia shared valuable information on current pledge of commitment to disseminate sound
scare. This resulted to a measles outbreak data and state of vaccination in the information on the importance and safety
with 550% increase of the number of Philippines. Sessions highlighted on the of vaccines for the sake of the health of the
patients from January 1-February 6, 2019 value of vaccination; its science and general public. It was truly a day of awareness
compared to figures of the same period safety; overview of vaccine preventable and learning for all of us participants.

2 Asian Eczema Master Class continued from page 2
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the first day wherein participants from (Philippines); Old Beliefs and Cultural
across Asia were able to mingle and get Disasters that Worsen AD by Dr. Maria
acquainted. Victoria C. Dizon, FPDS (Philippines);
Local Tradition and Cultural Myths
Day two of the event included sessions in AD by Dr. Ellis Kam Lun Hon (Hong
3 and 4 of the program which focused Kong); How to Debunk Misconceptions
on the management of AD, emphasizing of AD by Dr. Leong Kin Fon (Malaysia);
the different therapeutic guidelines and The Psychological Burden of Living with
recommendations. Dr. Rommel Crisenio AD by Dr. Ma. Purita G. Paz-Lao, FPDS
M. Lobo, FPSAAI (Philippines) gave a lecture (Philippines).
on AD inducers which was followed by Dr.
Siriwan Wananukul of Thailand and Dr. Truly, the 2nd Asian Eczema Master
Chia-Yu Chu, Ph.D. of Taiwan who gave an Class has strengthened the claim of PDS
overview on the management strategies in to be the Philippines’ dermAuthority.
AD and guidelines and recommendations in This event has also provided a venue
AD, respectively. A lecture on Pediatric AD Dr. Rommel Crisenio M. Lobo, FPSAAI (Philippines) for exchange of knowledge in AD across
was given by Dr. Gisella E. Umali-Adasa, Asian countries as well as an avenue for
FPDS (Philippines) which was followed by a The last session of the event included the society to showcase our expertise in
lecture on chronic pruritus given by Dr. Ma. relevant topics for AD. Food Allergy in AD the art and science of Dermatology.
Angela M. Lavadia, FPDS (Philippines). by Dr. Marysia Stella T. Recto, FPSAAI

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