BDO Foundation builds blood center in Butuan to serve Agusan del Norte, other Caraga provinces

AS it continued to rehabilitate rural health units in disadvantaged communities across the country, BDO Foundation also constructed a facility that serves blood donors and patients in Agusan del Norte and neighboring provinces in the Caraga region.

In support of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) mission to provide lifesaving services for Filipinos particularly the underserved and those in vulnerable situations, the foundation recently built the PRC Agusan del Norte - Butuan City Chapter Blood Center.

The corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank turned over the structure to the country’s premiere humanitarian organization in an event witnessed by

PRC secretary general Gwendolyn Pang, PRC assistant secretary general Dr. Christie Monina Nalupta, PRC Agusan del Norte Butuan Chapter board of directors chairperson Joanna Cuenca, BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito, BDO Butuan-J.C. Aquino Avenue branch head Janice Arapan, and branch heads of BDO and BDO Network Bank in the province. Pang graciously welcomed the initiative and congratulated the partners, saying, “This facility represents a step forward in the delivery of a healthcare system that is capable of meeting patients’ needs in the 21st century. Together with PRC chairman Richard Gordon, we would like to thank BDO Foundation for making the construction of the Agusan del Norte - Butuan City Chapter Blood Center possible.”

Supportive of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the blood center benefits patients in the Caraga region who need safe, adequate and high-quality blood and blood products. The construction of the building—funded by the foundation as well as contributions from BDO employees—includes the provision of basic equipment, furniture and fixtures.

BDO Foundation’s corporate citizenship initiative in Butuan contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal no. 3 to ensure healthy lives and promote the wellbeing of all people at all ages.

WHEN you hear the word “gigachad,” who does it remind you of? For many people, that would be their dads, and there could be many reasons why. Dads provide a feeling of security physically and emotionally and are also protective and reliable breadwinners. This is why they deserve a cool gift this Father’s Day!

If you still don’t know what to give your dad on his special day, don’t worry because we got your back! Throw dad the sweetest surprise on Father’s Day with two limited-time offers from Dairy Queen: the new Father’s Day Blizzard Cake and Father’s Day Blizzard Topper – Amazing Blue Swirl!

First is the Father’s Day Blizzard Cake, available in an eight-inch round cake for only P1,199! Indulge in 100 percent ice cream cake made with a base layer of Dairy Queen’s rich and creamy vanilla soft serve, a middle layer of Dairy Queen’s signature fudge and crunch center, and a top layer of Oreo Blizzard, which is then covered with delectable blue frosting and finished with a simple massage just for him.

That’s not all. Let him know that he’s the “best dad” with the Father’s Day Blizzard Topper – Amazing Blue Swirl, which is just the icing on top that will make every Blizzard even more satisfying! The Amazing Blue Swirl can be availed with any regular, medium, or large Blizzard of your choice for an additional P10.

The Father’s Day Blizzard Cake is available for take-out and delivery via Dairy Queen’s official channels, as well as delivery partners GrabFood, foodpanda, and Pick.A.Roo (prices may vary). Meanwhile, the Father’s Day Blizzard Topper – Amazing Blue Swirl is available exclusively via in-store take-out. Both will be on the menu from June 13 to 18, 2023 only, so order as soon as they become available if you don’t want to miss out!

Cervical cancer coverage: A top prioirty of PhilHealth in Universeal Heatlh Care through Konsulta, Z Benefits

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) provides coverage for cervical cancer screening through the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) primary care package and cervical cancer treatment through the Z Benefits. Since 2015, benefit claims for cervical cancer filed under the Z Benefits amount to P31 million.

“We are glad that your PhilHealth has been able to extend medical care benefits to those women suffering from this dreaded disease. Indeed, the state health insurer is always looking into the welfare of its members and always doing its best to provide financial risk protection whenever and wherever Filipinos need quality health care,” Acting PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. said.

Each year in the Philippines, 7,897 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 4,052 die from the disease. Cervical cancer ranks second in cancers among women in the Philippines and the second most common cancer in women between the ages of 15 and 44 (DOH, May 2023). Warning signs of cervical cancer show abnormal bleeding or foul-smelling vaginal discharge, bleeding after sexual intercourse, persistent back, leg, or pelvic pain, and unexplainable weight loss.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends screening for cervical cancer from 30 years of age in the general population of women or earlier for sexually active women. Further, updated guidelines of the WHO recommend Human Papillomavirus (HPV) tests for cervical cancer screening, which is more costeffective than cytology (i.e., Pap smear).

In addition, the WHO also recommends the primary target of vaccination against HPV, which is the first line of defense against cervical cancer, are girls aged 9 to 14. The secondary targets for HPV vaccination are boys and other females whenever feasible and affordable.

Meanwhile, in a recent report by Professor Dindo Manhit of Stratbase ADR Institute along with other Cancer Societies and Cancer-free Movement, their groups discussed evidencebased and cost-effective interventions that will scale up the elimination of cervical cancer in the Philippines and to officially launch the Zero Cervical Cancer Movement.

PhilHealth acknowledges the groups’ effort to bring down the incidence of cervical cancer if not totally eliminate this catastrophic illness by boosting immunization, vaccination and treatment control programs and fully support their future projects in collaboration with other sectors. Furthermore, in response to their call to expand coverage of the Z benefits package for cervical cancer and even include HPV Screening in the soon-to-be introduced Konsulta Plus Package, the PhilHealth Chief has this to say.

“We are determined to further enhance our benefits package to provide responsive coverage for our members and their dependents needing treatment. Cancer screening will be included under Konsulta primary care package while the Z Benefits covers treatment for this type of cancer. This year, enhancement in select Z Benefits packages will include cervical cancer,” he added.

Currently, PhilHealth has two Z Benefits packages that cover complete course of treatment for cervical cancer for stages IA1, IA2IIA1 where it pays P120,000 for Chemoradiation with Cobalt and Brachytherapy (low dose) and P175,000 for Chemoradiation with Linear Accelerator and Brachytherapy (high dose).

Ledesma also stressed the importance of more healthcare providers being contracted for PhilHealth’s Z Benefits Package for cervical cancer to ensure greater access to patients.