INFOBOX ON MEASLES

 

 

Q and A about Measles and MMR vaccines

Measles is a highly contagious illness that begins with mild to moderate fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and sore throat. Two or three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik’s spots) may appear inside the mouth.

Three to five days after the start of symptoms, a red or reddish-brown rash appears.
The rash usually begins on a person’s face at the hairline and spreads downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.

1. My two-year-old son has been having fever, cough, colds and sore eyes for three days. He’s been exposed to a neighbor who had measles two weeks ago. Could this be measles? Can it develop even if he was given measles vaccine at 9 months? Do I have to isolate my son?

The average interval between onset of signs and symptoms and contact with a known measles case is 7-14 days, so your son may have measles because the vaccine given at 9 months may lead to decreased immunogenicity due to the presence of maternal antibodies.

Children who were given measles vaccine at 6-9 months should have received two more doses of measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine (at 12-15 months and 4-6 years of age or earlier) to achieve optimal protection.

Measles can be transmitted to others 4 days before, up to 6 days after the appearance of the rash thus, your son needs to be isolated.

2. What about my six-month old son, how can I protect him?

Your 6-month old son could have been protected if the measles vaccine had been given within 72 hours of exposure to his brother. If you were unable to have him vaccinated within this period, you will have to wait for 21 days to see if he will develop the disease. If he does not naturally develop measles infection, you can have your infant vaccinated then.

However, another option is for him to be given immunoglobulin within 3-6 days post- exposure. Ask your pediatrician for the best course of action.

Measles vaccine is recommended to be given at 9 months, however, during outbreaks it can be given as early as 6 months.

3. My five-year-old has already received two doses of MMR (mumps, measles and rubella) vaccine. He’s been exposed to his cousin who has measles, does he need an additional dose?

No further doses of measles-containing vaccine are recommended for those who have received two doses of MMR after the age of 12 months, given at least 28 days apart.

4. My son has been diagnosed to have measles. Is there anything that can be given to shorten the disease and prevent complications?

No specific anti-viral treatment is available for children with measles. However, it has been found that giving vitamin A once daily for two days can reduce the rate of complications. Your doctor can prescribe the dose appropriate for the age of your child.

When can he go back to school?

Children with measles should be isolated for at least 6 days after rash onset to prevent spread of the disease. He should also be fully recovered before sending him back to school.

5. My nine-month-old has been diagnosed with measles. He still has fever, but his rashes have darkened and started to peel off. Is it still part of the course? What are the complications of measles?

The fever of measles may become higher once the rash appears and should disappear within 48 hours once the rash reaches the feet.

Recurrence or persistence of fever may indicate the presence of complications, which occurs in about 30% of patients. These include pneumonia, ear infections and diarrhea. Encephalitis (brain inflammation) is a very rare complication. In a very young child who develops measles, a rare but fatal brain disease called SSPE (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis) may be seen 7-10 years after the measles infection.

6. My 1 y/o baby had measles when he was 8 months old. Can he develop measles again?

Patients who have had measles are immune to the disease throughout their lifetime, unless a severe problem with their immune system occurs.

Should he still receive an MMR vaccine?

Although he does not need the measles vaccine, and since separate mumps and rubella (German measles) are not available, he should still receive two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine to protect him against mumps and rubella. MMR in this child may be given as early as 1 year of age.

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7. My 13 y/o son was exposed yesterday to a schoolmate who was diagnosed with measles. I am not sure if my son had one or two shots of MMR before. Is it safe to give another dose now?

In cases where vaccination status is unknown, two doses of MMR is still recommended, and it is safe. MMR vaccine can be given within 3 days from exposure to his schoolmate to possibly prevent or minimize the impact of the disease.

When is it safe to say that he did not get infected by his classmate?

If he does not develop measles infection within 21 days after last exposure to the patient who is contagious, then he did not get infected.

8. A neighbor is saying that it’s better to just let my baby naturally get the measles infection since it will give him life-long protection. Is this true? Will the measles/MMR vaccine protect my child from getting the infection throughout his lifetime?

Yes, he will have life-long protection after getting measles infection but, there is a high incidence of complications like pneumonia, ear infections, malnutrition, neurologic problems and even death. The protection from live vaccines such as measles is like having the natural infection in terms of inducing immune response but without these complications.

9. I am afraid my 3-month-old will develop measles after hearing about the outbreak. Can my baby receive measles vaccine?

Measles vaccine is only indicated for infants 6 months or older. Babies less than 6 months old are usually protected if their mothers had measles or were given MMR vaccine previously.

10. My 3 y/o child received two doses of MMR vaccine and later on, was diagnosed with autism. I read from social media that MMR vaccine is associated with autism. I don’t want my second child to receive MMR since it might cause the same condition. Is this true?

This has been proven to be patently FALSE. Scientific evidence do not link MMR vaccine with autism. This is based on many studies, which included hundreds of thousands of children in different countries. The studies were well-controlled and done by multiple investigators. The doctor who authored the article linking MMR with autism used fake data. His license to practice medicine has been revoked, and the article has been withdrawn.

 

 

 

 

INFOBOX ON VACCINES

 

Q and A on Vaccination

Parents are concerned about the health and safety of their children and administering vaccines is one of the best ways to protect them against infections. Although vaccines are manufactured using disease-causing organisms, these viruses and bacteria are destroyed or weakened, allowing the immune system to defend the body against the disease while preventing or minimizing its symptoms.

1. Why are vaccines important?

Vaccines are important because they prevent certain childhood diseases, which are highly communicable and may lead to serious consequences both in children and in adults. Vaccines also play a role in reducing the risk of infections that are not common but are associated with severe life-threatening conditions and/or disabilities. Before vaccines became widely available, many children died from diseases that vaccines now prevent.

2. Won’t getting the disease provide better protection?

In most cases, being vaccinated provides the same quality of protection as getting the disease itself, with the advantage of avoiding the complications and risk of death.

There are some diseases like tetanus and diphtheria, which in spite of the child getting the infection, will not provide protection and thus, will still require vaccination.

Although vaccination will not guarantee 100% protection, vaccinated children, if they do develop the disease, are expected to have the milder form.

3. Who needs to be vaccinated?

Although most people consider vaccination as necessary in infants, it is equally important in children, adolescents, and adults. Other high-risk groups such as those who are immunocompromised or have chronic conditions like heart and lung diseases will also need to be given certain vaccines.

In certain situations, post-exposure vaccination is necessary. An example of this is rabies vaccine in a child bitten by a dog.

4. What happens if I can’t remember the vaccines that were given to my child and I’ve lost his baby book?

If your child’s vaccination record cannot be obtained, he should be given the missed vaccines depending on his present age and medical history. If you are worried that your child might be given more vaccines than needed, extra doses will not lead to adverse reactions. In fact, missed vaccinations are more dangerous since these may lead to low protection or no protection at all.

5. What are the recommended vaccines?

The following table lists the vaccines that are recommended for children and adolescents by the Philippine Pediatric Society and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines for the year 2020. Your doctor may also recommend other vaccines. Vaccines are given using different schedules, which you can discuss with your doctor.

 

VACCINE	Number of Doses
BCG	1
Hepatitis B	3 or 4, depending on the schedule used
Diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT)	5
Poliomyelitis	5
H. Influenzae Type B	4
Rotavirus	2 or 3
Pneumococcal	4
Influenza	2 doses initially (until 8 years old), then yearly thereafter
Measles	1
Japanese B encephalitis	2
Varicella/ Chickenpox	2
Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)	2
Hepatitis A	2
Human Papilloma Virus	2 or 3

Other vaccines may be recommended in special situations. Ask your pediatrician about these.

6. Should I expect any side effects after vaccination?

Side effects can occur with any medicine, including vaccines. In most cases, vaccines cause only mild side effects, if any, such as fever, rash or soreness at the injection site. Slight discomfort is normal and should not be a cause for alarm. Paracetamol may be given if your child develops fever while cold compress may be applied for the pain and swelling at the injection site.

Rarely, people experience more serious side effects like high fever or incessant crying. Signs of a serious allergic reaction when present, will often be observed within 30 minutes of the vaccination. These will include difficulty of breathing, hoarseness, rashes, paleness, weakness or dizziness. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any severe signs and symptoms.

7. What does catch up immunization mean?

Catch up immunization refers to the giving of vaccines that were not given on the recommended immunization schedule, for whatever reason. When the child or adolescent is brought to the clinic, the parents should be informed of the need for continuation of immunization as well as the new recommendations and new vaccines.

8. My son who is 6 years old had his vaccinations in the health center during his 1st year of life. From that time on, he has not received a single vaccine. Will he still need vaccination? What are these vaccines?

Local health centers provide the basic (National Immunization Program-NIP) vaccines using government funding, during the first year of life. These include BCG, 2 doses of rotavirus, 3 doses of DPT, polio, H. influenza b (Hib), hepatitis B, pneumococcal conjugate, measles and MMR.

If these vaccines were given, your son will still need boosters for DPT, polio, Hib, hepatitis B, pneumococcal conjugate and 2nd dose of MMR and other vaccines to improve levels of protection.

Since there are recommended vaccines that will prevent many other diseases (such as chickenpox, pneumococcal, hepatitis A, influenza, to name a few), children who received NIP vaccines should be given the opportunity for protection against these diseases.

Your pediatrician can provide a schedule that best meets your child’s needs.

9. I have been told by our doctor that my teenage daughter still needs vaccination. What vaccines does she need?

Your daughter needs the following:

• Childhood vaccines, which she may have missed during that period (catch-up vaccines)
• Those whose protection will wane over time (such as diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus booster)
• Vaccines given yearly (such as flu vaccine)
• Vaccine against cervical cancer

10. Do all female children and adolescents need a vaccine against cervical cancer?

The anti-cervical cancer vaccine is intended to prevent infections with the types of human papilloma virus most commonly associated with genital warts and changes in the cervix which can lead to cervical cancer.

Even if there is no family history of this disease, these changes can develop once exposed to the virus.

Does my son need this as well?

Males can benefit from the vaccine in the prevention of genital warts.

11. My son is due for vaccination in a week’s time. However, my husband was symptomatic for COVID infection and tested positive last week. We are only 3 in our household. My son and I are asymptomatic and never had a swab test done. Can I continue my son’s vaccination next week or should it be re-scheduled?

If you and your child remain asymptomatic, vaccination of your baby may be re-scheduled after 2 weeks (quarantine period) from the last time you and your baby were exposed to your husband.

Vaccination visits should be postponed to avoid exposing healthcare personnel and other patients in the vaccination setting to SARS-CoV-2. When scheduling or confirming appointments for vaccination, notify your Pediatrician’s office in advance.

 

 

Immunization During the Pandemic:
Here’s why vaccination is important in the first 1,000 days of life

 

By: Dr. Joselyn A. Eusebio
President, Philippine Pediatric Society

 

Fear of COVID-19 has caused many children to miss scheduled vaccinations. This poses a high risk of an impending outbreak of vaccine preventable diseases like measles, on top of an ongoing pandemic. To help address this, innovative solutions such as drive-through vaccinations and home visits were made in place of clinic consultations during the lockdown. But a great majority of parents have opted to wait for the return to normal.

This is just a reminder of the importance of vaccination. Through immunization, vaccines help develop a child’s natural defenses to fight vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Immunization is best done prior to the exposure of a child to viruses and bacteria for which vaccines are available. Most of these vaccines are given during your child’s first 1000 days of life.

This healthy start paves the way for lower risks of both acquiring and spreading the infection to the immediate family as well as to the community, thus preventing outbreaks of these diseases.

According to UNICEF, there was a decline in child immunization coverage last year, and this coverage is projected to decline further due to the disruption of routine immunization activities caused by COVID-19. It is estimated that this will affect at least 2 million children under two years of age.

There is hope that we can go back to pre-pandemic vaccination coverage and even surpass this, thus avoiding outbreaks similar to what we have seen with measles in 2017- 2019 and polio in 2019 up to the present time.

Here are essential truths about having babies vaccinated – yes, even while the pandemic is at large:

1. Hospitals’ and doctors’ clinics have made sure safety protocols are in place for well-baby check-ups. Visits to the pediatrician for immunization shots are safe, thanks to guidelines formulated by local experts. These guidelines describe how to safely and efficiently conduct vaccinations and out-patient visits to protect children, parents and physicians. It is best to set an appointment with your physician prior to the visit.

2. Vaccines have passed extensive safety and efficacy studies prior to licensure.

3. The first 1,000 days in an infant’s life are critical for receiving immunization on schedule. Recommended vaccinations that should not be missed during this period are: Bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG), Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae type B (DTaP-IPV-Hib), Rotavirus, Pneumococcal, Mumps, Measles, and Rubella (MMR), Influenza, Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis A, and Varicella.

4. In the event that a child missed a vaccination, he or she is left vulnerable to a disease that could be fatal. For example, a baby that missed an MMR shot, could acquire measles and suffer from complications such as pneumonia, ear infections, neurologic disorders, and even death. It is never too late to catch up on immunizations.

As a parent, you can do your part in protecting your baby during this pandemic and have a hand in ensuring your baby’s health. Have regular consults with your healthcare provider regarding immunization schedules. Follow health and safety protocols when setting appointments and during visits to health facilities. While the world is waiting for a vaccine against COVID-19, you can call the shots for your baby’s protection and have your child’s immunity strengthened today.

 

 

PPS Western Visayas Chapter became a new chapter in 2016. However its history dated back to 1971 when a chapter in Western Visayas region was organized by twelve paediatricians in Bacolod City as the pioneer members. It was then called as Negros Occidental Chapter.

Dr. Salud Javelosa was the founding president. The highlight of her tenure was community involvement and service. The first major participation of the chapter was during the 8th PPS annual convention when Dr. Javelosa was a plenary speaker on the topic “Community Pediatrics”

Five years later, Dr. Natividad Aromin took over the presidency in 1976. New members from Iloilo and other parts of Panay joined, thus the name was changed to Negros Occidental – Western Visayas Chapter. The chapter won for the first time the most outstanding small chapter award due to projects undertaken in child advocacy.

The first seminar on primary health care was held during the term of Dr. Hester Villanueva. in 1979. Dr. Villanueva and Dr. Aromin represented the chapter in the International Pediatric Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The chapter was awarded the most active affiliate society of The Negros occidental Medical Society in 1980.

In 1981, Dr. Marie Casenas became the first president from Iloilo City. Information dissemination on preventive pediatrics and nutrition through radio programs and lectures were emphasized during her term. That year, the chapter won the most outstanding small chapter award for community service.

Dr. Suzette Elegado was elected president in 1983. She initiated the Regional Systems Network (RESYNET) program of the mother society. During her tenure, seminars on school health among public school teachers and various lectures on oral rehydration, breastfeeding and immunization were conducted. The chapter won the outstanding chapter award for two consecutive years.
In 1985. the first male president of the chapter was elected in the person of Dr. Manuel Posecion. One of the chapter’s outstanding accomplishments during his term was setting up the poison control center at the Iloilo Doctors Hospital emergency room complex to service the whole of Western Visayas. The chapter for the 4th time was awarded the most outstanding chapter award in community service.

Dr. Lourdes Espina took over the helm in 1986. Under her leadership, the chapter launched its first scholarship program for high school students. The chapter also participated in a collaborative study on national anthropometric measurement for Filipino children. Outreach programs to different barangays were also intensified.

The term of Dr. Ma. Victoria Villareal from 1987 – 1988 started with “Adopt a school Project” in Barrio Obrero offering free elementary education to low income families. There were regular appearances in the local TV program”Ikaw Kabuhi Ko” with lectures on child health. Medical services were also extended to various government and charitable institutions like immunization and deworming.
In 1988, Dr. Lucia Iledan was the chapter president. Under her stewardship, the chapter embarked on an intensive community development program. It adopted one barangay as recipient of its various projects bio-intensive gardening, chlorination of water wells, mother’s class and deworming. For its efforts, the chapter won the Child Advocacy award in 1989 and the Community Service Award in 1990.

Dr. Doris Mendoza was installed as the 10th president in 1990. During her term, the chapter won the most outstanding chapter in child advocacy award for its child survival activities, promotion of pro-child environment in the community, program for health care of street children and provision of their education and recreation and measures against child abuse as well as speech and hearing impairment.
In 1992, Dr. Imelda Nepomuceno continued the activities on child advocacy. Information dissemination on nutrition and breastfeeding through radio talks and lectures were intensified. The chapter received citations from the Negros Occidental Medical Society and Rotary Club of Bacolod West for the solid support the local PPS chapter extended to them in all their civic action programs.

Intervention programs for street children were advocated during the term of Dr. Emiliana Carmona in 1993 to 1995. Street children from 13 barangays in Iloilo City were targeted with value formation programs, medical missions and encouragement for empowerment through parental value formation activities and networking with local NGOs in the city. The chapter helped to establish the Iloilo Friends of the Handicap Foundation initiated by Dr. Linda Que whose activities were directed towards information dissemination, facilitation of diagnostic and therapeutic intervention and special education programs..

Child advocacy remained the top priority during the term of Dr. Peter Sogono from 1995 – 1997. Activities undertaken were programs for the protection of children under difficult circumstances and projects for the handicapped and abused child. The chapter also embarked on activities geared towards improving the medical education of PPS members, government physicians and private practitioners.

Dr. James Woo assumed the presidency in 1997 – 1999. The highlights of his term were: strengthening of the integrated residency training program of the different participating hospitals through grand rounds, clinico-pathologic conferences and integrated lecture series, holding of mini post graduate courses sponsored by each participating hospital which also served as a fund raising activity of the said hospital; community involvement through the “Dulot ni Nanay lecture series conducting lecture workshops on child health care community initiative which aimed to promote mother baby friendly initiatives and to educate community based health workers on mother empowering programs, social involvement through the PPS Chorale which won the grand prize during the PPS Golden Anniversary Celebration choral competition.

During the term of Dr. Antonia Gensoli in 1999 – 2001, the chapter helped strengthen DOH activities disseminating information on the principles of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI). It embarked on “Baga Project” wherein free antiTB drugs were supplied to PPD positive children. A directory of local PPS members was also initiated during Dr. Gensoli’s term.

Advocacy projects for the community were continued during the term of Dr. Stella Paspe from 2001 – 2003. The integrated residency training program was further strengthened with the creation of uniform guidelines for the promotion of pediatric residents. Another accomplishment was the approval of the criteria for good standing among local chapter members. Continuing medical education was also a top priority. The first postgraduate course and parallel lay symposium was held last July 2002 with a big success. With the scientific lectures and symposia it sponsored, the chapter won the most outstanding chapter in continuing medical education award in 2003.

Dr. Diana Nandwani succeeded the position in 2003. During her one year term, she was able to accomplish so much that the chapter was again voted as the most outstanding chapter in community service for the year 2004 for its series of immunization activities to orphanages and other institutions and its active participation in the campaign for a clean and green environment.

Community involvement was the thrust during the term of Dr. Joseph Aldric Gaspar in 2004 – 2006. Integrated Community Pediatric Residents Training Rotation Program was established in Igbaras, Iloilo.. Along with it, the Total Newborn Package Program was initiated and lectures on primary health care for Barangay Health Workers were conducted. To preserve and maintain the Maasin Watershed, the “Adopt a Mountain Project” was put in place. Due to these activities, the chapter was awarded the most outstanding chapter award for community service.

The primary focus of the term of Dr. Ma Eugene Amante in 2006 – 2008 were the effects of the environment, media, and family to the child. Thus, lectures and TV appearances on the effects of media to children were made. Flagship projects were ”Aton Kabataan Aton Amligan” lectures on child abuse and substance abuse in schools, “Balik Eskwela Program” to keep the children away from the streets by awarding and recognizing children with complete attendance and good scholastic records. Detection of iron deficiency anemia among Grade I pupils and subsequent iron supplementation to affected pupils were also done. The chapter joined with the private sector mobilization for family health projects. The chapter was awarded the most outstanding chapter in research for 2007.

Dr. Teresita Geroche became president in 2008 to 2010. The chapter members were active in the care of the environment by planting mangrove trees and maintenance of trees in Barangay Bagsakan in Alimodian, Iloilo for the Maasin Watershed were continued. Likewise, there was also active participation of the local members in medical missions for hardly hit flood victims brought by the wrath of typhoon Frank particularly in the town of Pavia and the district of Jaro. Dengue awareness program was given emphasis with the ”Ilonggo Pediatricians Knock Out Dengue Project” in the town of Oton, Iloilo which significantly reduced the incidence of dengue in the locality. The chapter was awarded the most outstanding chapter in continuing medical education in 2009 and the most outstanding chapter in research in 2010.

Programs in continuing medical education, research, community service and child advocacy were continued during the term of Dr. Ma. Victoria Ravina in 2010 to 2012. The chapter was the first chapter to have a program for disaster preparedness. The Perla Santos Ocampo award for the most outstanding chapter for community service and child advocacy was given to the chapter.

Dr. John Colacion was the chapter president in 2012-2014. It was during his term that Objective Structure Clinical Exam (OSCE) was held for graduating Pediatric residents in training. Prior to that, a workshop for consultants was conducted about OSCE, A three month review for PPS Specialty Board special exam was organized by subspecialist members of the chapter. The close to 50 passers were welcomed by the chapter. The chapter joined in the “Project Rebuild” as a partner in the rehabilitation of areas hardly hit by typhoon Yolanda. Rehabilitation of the damaged water system in the island of Naborot in the town of San Dionisio was financed by the chapter. Medical missions in the northern towns of Iloilo and Antique which were greatly affected by Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013 were also done

In 2014-2016 Dr. Jose Pandan was the chapter president. Programs in continuing medical education, research and community service and child advocacy were continued. The chapter has a growing number of members and there was a plan to have a separate chapter for the Negros Occidental group and the Panay group. However, there was a ruling that there could only be one chapter per region and that hindered the separation. In May 29, 2015 Negros Island Region was created through Executive order 183 signed by President Benigno Aquino III. Thus there was now a reason to separate. A process was followed for the separation, new set of officers and board members were elected in February 2016. Finally, during PPS national board meeting with the chapter presidents in April 2016 it was decided to grant separation of the chapter into Negros Island Chapter (Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental) and Western Visayas Chapter (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo).

Dr. Cristina VC. Woo was the first chapter president for the newly created Western Visayas Chapter in 2016-2018 The chapter was involved in many activities of the society. Certain advocacies like Campaign Against Tobacco Smoking was conducted for high school students in Iloilo City. Our entry for the poster making contest won first place in the national level. Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses Workshop was held at the College of Medicine of West Viasyas State University. The chapter partnered with Team bakunanays Public Health students of UP Visayas. UNILAB foundation, DOH, Municipality of Pavia, Ungka II Elementary School to help increase immunization coverage among grade school students.

Dr, Joselito E. Caso served in 2018-2020. The members were encouraged to be PPS (punctual, participative, simple). The first Philippine version of Neonatal Resuscitation Program was conducted for pediatric residents in training and pediatric consultants. Advocacies in line with the mother society were conducted like Campaign Against Teen-age Pregnancy, Disaster Preparedness,, Breastfeeding, Immunization among others. Partnership with Iloilo Provincial government was made during the dengue outbreak in 2019. Volunteer members went to four district hospitals (Cabatuan, Janiuay, Guimbal and Aleosan) and help in out patient consultations and management of admitted patients. The chapter was given a certificate of appreciation from the Department of Health Western Visayas for their support in the implementation Child Health Care Services. The first PPS WV Pediatric Forum was conducted last February 27-28, 2020.

This year, the year that COVID-19 disturbed the whole world is the year that the key of responsibility was transferred to Dr. Teresa Martirez-Hallegado. This is the year that restrictions, quarantines and strict health protocols are being implemented. Teaching and learning activities are mostly, if not all, virtual. Programs and advocacies are being carried out through social media. Empowerment of the members in the use of the different social media platforms is the initial project of the chapter. Encouraging the residents to create different video infomercials on the different advocacies of the society to continue reaching out to the community through social media. More video informercials and posters will be produced in the next months to increase awareness on COVID-19 and the ways to control and prevent it’s spread.

What is in store for the chapter in the next 2 years and the years to come? There would be more challenges along the way, but with the wisdom and experience the members had shared with mentors and senior consultants, they will come out victorious. This can be achieved with the cooperation of every member, properly equipped with the latest trends in patient care, updates in continuing pediatric education, commitment to be involved in community service and research, and participation in socio-cultural activities. Members would be ready to adjust to the changing times and face the challenges of life.

The legacy and tradition of excellence passed on by our predecessors will serve as inspiration to the present and future members of the society. The will and the passion to continue to strive for excellence in providing the best possible care for the Filipino child, the Ilonggos in particular live on.

Cagayan de Misamis was the capital town of the province of Misamis Oriental and renamed Cagayan de Oro City when it became a chartered city in 1951. Progress and urbanization slowly crept in along with the growing population of infants and children. Naturally, where the children are, the pediatricians are not far behind. Thus, in 1968, eight (8) pediatricians and general practitioners informally formed the Cagayan de Oro – Misamis Oriental Chapter of the Philippine Pediatric Society. Dr. Carmelita Belmonte Cuyugan, President of the PPS National from 1969 to 1972, inducted the Magnificent 8 namely: Dr. Pedro Abalos as President and Drs. Grace Salvador, Renee Lazo, Megdonio Bacal, Zenaida Floirendo, Esperanza Herrin, Luis Borja and Hernando Mejia members at the Old Steak House in 1969.

Dr. Grace Salvador, President in 1970, worked for the membership to be formalized by PPS and to include Lanao, Agusan, Surigao and Bukidnon pediatricians but this was further expanded by PPS to include Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga. Hence we were officially recognized as the North Western Central Mindanao Chapter on March 18, 1972 with Dr. Pedro Abalos as the first president.

New blood was infused into the Chapter with the arrival of Drs. Dimpna Torrevillas, Lucille Romblon, Pacita Kho, Simeon Francisco and Maria Paz Serin?a who took turns becoming president. Their usual activities in the 1st decade were Well Baby Contests, Free Clinics, Scientific Meetings, and radio program guestings. Unfortunately, the Chapter went into hibernation in 1980; fortunately it was reborn into the present PPS North Central Mindanao Chapter (PPS-NCMC) thru the indefatigable efforts of the original “come-back-kid” Dr. Pedro Abalos in 1981. This time the Chapter entered its 2nd decade with members from Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Agusan, Surigao, and parts of Zamboanga and Lanao.

From 1981 to the present, the PPS – NCMC has been driven! Modules conducted in the 80’s were REYSENET; the Astra Circuit Course; URBANET which became GOBI for growth monitoring, oral rehydration, breastfeeding and immunization; CDD which morphed into CARI and now IMCI.

The 90’s (3rd decade) introduced Postgraduate Courses and Workshops on Community Health Development, Registry of Diseases, EBM (Evidence Based Medicine), UMED, Unintentional Childhood Injury Prevention, PALS, NALS which became NRP in the new millennium, Kangaroo Care and Childhood Handicaps and Disabilities which led us to a new advocacy in 1994. This was when we cajoled Mayor Pablo Magtajas to open East City Central School in Cagayan de Oro to 11 special children with cerebral palsy, autism, mental disabilities; sent teacher Ellen Villanueva to a crash course on teaching autism at Cabriva in Laguna and holding annually for 3 years consultations with Drs. Alexis Reyes, Menchie Padilla, Marilyn Ortiz and therapeutic sessions with people from the Allied Medicine and Special Education Center of UP. Not soon after, the Newborn Screening Program became a major project with NMMC (Northern Mindanao Medical Center) as the nerve center and eventually institutionalized in all hospitals of the region.

In 1995 most members in CDO and Iligan became involved in the Accredited Pediatric Residency Training Program (APRTP) of NMMC and Mindanao Sanitarium Hospital (MSH) now AMCI (Adventist Medical Center Iligan). A Northcentral Mindanao Integrated Pediatric Residency Training Program (NCM – IPTRTP) was formed with a MOA in 1998 between NMMC and MSH as regular members while Maria Reyna Hospital now Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital (MRXUH) and Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital were observers. Joint CPCs, modules, case presentations were started, up to the present, and in 1999 MRXUH was accredited as the 3rd training institution in the Chapter. On February 15, 2004 the 1st PPS-NCMC’s Inter-hospital Residents’ Case Report and Research Paper Contest was held at Kagay-anon Restaurant so that residents will have a venue to present their required scientific papers prior to taking the diplomate examinations. Other activities developed and supported by the Chapter include the annual OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Exam) in 2014 and the National WISE Exam at NMMC in 2013 .

Hard work paid off when NMMC was accredited Level II in 2012 and Level III in 2015 (the 1st one outside Metro Manila then); and MRXUH Level II in 2018. Outstanding community activities of the 2 hospitals were the adoption by NMMC of WCCS’s Special Children since 2009 and MRXUH’s “Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital of the Year” award by PPS for its extraordinary support of mothers and their breastfeeding babies. Amai Pakpak Medical Center’s PRTP was the 4th one in the Chapter on March 1, 2019 expected to bring more quality service to its constituents in the region.

On April 25, 1999 we received the “Outstanding Chapter Award for Community Service” for “community efforts to alleviate immediately the hunger and medical needs of Barangays in Cotabato, its implementation of PPS’ Community and Advocacy Programs, its cooperation with the PNRC Disaster Preparedness Program and linkages with various hospitals and crisis centers in the region.” Dr. Patricia V. Gaid received the 2014 “Most Outstanding Pediatrician Award in Community Service” (Dr. Fe Del Mundo Award) and became a plenary Speaker of the 4th Dr. Fe Del Mundo Memorial Lecture on “Planning Health Programs in Community Pediatrics “ at the 52nd PPS Annual Convention in 2015 .

Dr. Jonna Dalida – Dalaguit , Chief of Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in CDO was named among the TOPS (The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers) for 2015 by the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. and the Rotary Club of Makati Metro for her exemplary performance as flight surgeon and pediatrician seeking quality care for the patients and involvement in healthcare advocacies including HIV awareness .

As part of the PPS’ 65 years Diamond Celebration, we were granted a PPS Scholar for Mindanao in 2013, Lovely Grace Camacho, from Bukidnon and who finished BS Nutrition and Dietetics at Central Mindanao University (CMU) . Her “Health Break Station” project was approved and funded by PPS; finished her course with flying colors at CMU and passed her boards on August 23, 2017. This daughter of a multi-cab driver and who had to walk 10 km back and forth to CMU daily for her classes for 5 years is now employed at DOH Caraga as a nutritionist. Inspiring , to say the least !

The Chapter’s newsletter “Babytalk” to update members of its activities , projects and concerns debuted on October 1999 and circulated until such time when our website, ppsncmc.org opened in 2010, now replaced by the more popular social media giants FB, Instagram, messenger, Viber, twitter and lately Zoom for webinars in this pandemia 2020.

It was in 2004 when our Chapter Logo flew in a banner which featured a handshake representing the friendliness of the people of North Central Mindanao (CdO is the City of Golden Friendship); the pineapples of Bukidnon; the waterfalls of Iligan and neighboring provinces and cities; the colors white for purity and cleanliness and maroon for passion and integrity.

Disasters are mostly natural; but can be man-made, too . In the June 2020 issue of Babytalk, the “Children of the Angry Hills” or the Children of War from Misamis Oriental, Cotabato, Maguindanao, Lanao, Basilian and Jolo were featured and the Chapter’s answer was “Kalusugan Batang Mindanao” or “Kaba Na-Min” launched on September 10, 2000 at Linamon, Lanao Del Norte to alleviate the miserable conditions of these children by providing them primary health care, nutritional intervention programs and psychological support with the help of the LGUs, DOH, 402nd Infantry Division, NGOs and some funding from PPS National. In 2001 Typhoon Nanang hit Camiguin and some members helped in relief efforts … a preview to the catastrophic Cyclone Sendong, 10 years later, when the Chapter’s dedication to public service was tried and tested . It hit CdO, Iligan and Bukidnon the heaviest on December 16, 2011 and for a month we worked with the DOH under the Health Incident Management Team (Medical Cluster) in the performance of their daily relief efforts and thus had a crash course on disaster management ; adopted evacuation centers like WCCS in Carmen, CdO, the UCCP and Barangay Consolacion Centers in CdO; colleagues in Iligan made available several deep wells to answer the need for clean potable water supply; and turned over a house at Opol, Misamis Oriental in a village for Sendong survivors coursed thru the priests of the Sacred Heart – out of the monetary donations from PPS and other Chapters and local members. We again made our presence felt in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda by sending a Multidisciplinary Team of Doctors that included pediatricians to Palompon , Leyte from November 16 to December 15, 2013 . A breastmilk drive with mothers of CdO, Iligan, Camiguin and Oroquieta made available mothers’ milk sent to PGH Human Milk bank for pasteurization and delivered by the military to the babies in Yolanda evacuation centers .

Then we had the Marawi Seige , a 5-month armed conflict from May to October 2017 which turned Marawi City into a war zone between the Philippine military and militant Mautes allied with the terrorist ISIS organization . Lives were lost and properties irreparably damaged, displaced persons evacuated and sought refuge in Iligan and CdO for which Martial Law was declared. The Chapter buckled down to work in the provision of relief goods for both our Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters and the worn-out exhausted weary military personnel from the long drawn-out war; stressed debriefing sessions conducted with the help of psychologists from MSU in Iligan ; and financial assistance given to 8 members from Marawi .

Amidst all these we continued with our child advocacies for the promotion of the “Care of the Filipino Child” with activities on Tobacco Control, Disaster Preparedness, Dengue Awareness, Child Cancer Awareness, Immunizations, LMET (Lactation Management Educational and Training) and LMO (Lactation Management Orientation), Neonatal Resuscitation for which we had a Training of Trainors last July 22 – 24 , 2019 which now boasts of 26 more Trainors to help the 7 neonatologists of the Chapter , Breastfeeding and the First 1000 days, KMC in the Care for Small Babies, Social Media Addiction and our latest passion Mental Health and Teenage Pregnancy. We have trained 39 members as Psychological First Aiders from September 2 – 4, 2019 and conducted 4 Teenspired runs in CDO and Bukidnon involving 10 lecturers and 22 facilitators from the Chapter; reached out to 158 teens, 140 parent and guardians and partnered with the CDO LGU, DepEd, DOH and POPCOM .

Of course we work hard and play hard too … so we prepare and look forward to the performances during the PPS Annual Convention; memorable of which was singing “Mamayug Akun” in our colorful Muslim finery for the PPS’ 50th Anniversary at the Cultural Center of the Philippines .

Thru these 5 decades we are thankful having celebrated our 25th anniversary at Pryce Hotel, our 30th at Marco Hotel with Dr. Carmelo Alfiler as special guest and our 40th at N Hotel with Dr. Genesis Rivera. From a mere 8 lovers of children we have ballooned to 253 : 77 fellows, 173 diplomates, 3 active members and 50 subspecialists!
We look forward to more challenges and meaningful accomplishments ahead, a much wider circle of friends and colleagues to celebrate our 50th on March 2022, sans the presence of the infamous SARS-CoV-2. Blessings to all !