With days counting before the yuletide celebrations, the Department of Health-Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD), together with all stakeholders in the region, called for a safer and healthier celebration through the “Ligtas Christmas sa Healthy Pilipinas” campaign.
In a press release, the health department in the region emphasized that the campaign encourages Filipino families to observe the holiday season with the heed of various healthy and safe ways to celebrate such festivities.
Through the campaign, the DOH WV CHD provided three ways to guide the public for a “Ligtas Christmas” celebration while communities are still adapting to the new normal from the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Healthy handaan’
The first one encourages the observance of a “healthy handaan” through the “Pinggang Pinoy” as a food guide for families to prepare for a well-balanced, well-moderated, varied diet with a limited intake of sugary food and beverages.
Along with the dietary considerations, CHD-6 also recommends to the public an active lifestyle and avoidance of alcohol intake to decrease the risk of having illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, as well as accidents that may result from road crashes, falls, and violence from unmoderated intake.
‘Healthy celebration’
Meanwhile, the second provides tips for a physically and mentally “healthy celebration” of the holiday season.
This part of the campaign encourages the public to take precautionary health measures, such as wearing a face mask if one is not feeling well when attending celebrations, especially those who have flu-like symptoms, immune-compromised individuals, with comorbidities, and pregnant women.
This guide also includes healthy options for buying holiday presents, citing the safety and age-appropriateness of gifts.
Further, mental health during the entire yuletide celebration must also be a priority, according to the DOH WV CHD, by maintaining enough rest, social networks, and conversations with trusted people.
The health department also advocates to the public that if they may know individuals who are experiencing a difficult situation, the Mental Health Connect Crisis hotline of the DOH WV CHD is open and ready to listen to their concerns. From 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., they may call 0998-532-4047 or 0917-775-9256, and from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., they reach the line through 0939-802-0288.
‘Iwas Paputok’
The third advocacy guide focuses on the “Iwas Paputok” program or the prevention of fireworks-related injuries. As a “long-time” call of the DOH, together with the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and other national government agencies, the CHD-6 then and now urges the public to use alternative means to celebrate, especially for the New Year’s countdown, like pans, bells, sound systems, and other light-emitting devices.
“The catastrophe brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic proved how essential it is to maintain a safe and healthy environment. Enjoying this holiday season while being mindful and practicing healthy handaan, healthy celebrations, and iwas paputok will ensure not only a safe and healthy Filipino family, but a peaceful celebration for the rest of the country. Ligtas ang Christmas sa Healthy Pilipinas,” the DOH WV CHD stressed. (PIA-6)