The Department of Health conducted a two-day “National Health Fair Pista ng Kalusugan” on April 15 and 16, 2023, at the Quezon Memorial Circle to push for a “Healthy Pilipinas” by adopting a healthier lifestyle through the Seven Healthy Habits.
The Seven Healthy Habits is part of DOH’s Health Promotion Framework Strategy 2021 to 2030, which serves as a basis for population-wide solutions to the seven priority areas of health, namely diet and physical activity, immunization, mental health, sexual reproductive health, environmental health, substance use, and violence and injury prevention.
Together with its partners, DOH came up with seven immersive booths during the event, each corresponding to one of the seven habits, which include (1) Move More, Eat Right; (2) Get Vaccinated; (3) Care for Yourself, Care for Others; (4) Practice Safe Sex; (5) Be Clean, Live Sustainably; (6) Don’t Smoke, Avoid Alcohol, Say No to Drugs; and (7) Do No Harm, Put Safety First.
Undersecretary Dr. Enrique Tayag from the DOH Field Implementation and Coordination Team for North Luzon shared that, among the seven habits, their focus is on immunization. He pointed out that vaccination is still the most effective way of protecting the masses, particularly children, from life-threatening illnesses.
“No child should perish from any disease that can be prevented with the help of vaccines that can combat specific types of diseases and are fit for varying ages, from [pregnancy] to newborn children up to one year. There are also vaccines for female adolescents to prevent cervical cancer, and flu and pneumonia vaccines for the elderly,” Dr. Tayag asserted.
“Vaccination should continue for children based on their Routine Immunization schedule. All these vaccines are safe and effective since these passed through rigorous, strict, and scientific processes to make sure they are truly safe and effective. The best part is that these vaccines are free to the public,” he added.