COTABATO CITY – As the dry season continues, the Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) has alerted residents on common ailments and adverse health conditions they might suffer from in the near term.
Dr. Alexander Ampatuan, designated head of the Non-Communicable Diseases Cluster of DOH-ARMM, said during dry months, residents must take note of common summer diseases like sunburn, rashes, sore eyes, and chicken pox.
Sunburn is a term used for red and sometimes swollen and painful skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. To prevent sunburn, he advised residents to avoid too much sun exposure.
“Iwasan natin ang lumabas sa bahay kung tirik ang araw. Mas mainam kung huwag lumabas mula 9:00 AMhanggang 4:00 PM (Avoid going outside the house especially when it is too hot. It would be better to stay at home from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM),” Ampatuan said. “Kung hindi maiiwasan, magsuot ng mga protective gear tulad ng payong o magpahid ng sunblock na may SPF 60 pataas (If you cannot avoid going under the heat of the sun, wear protective gears like an umbrella or use sunblock with at least SPF 60 or higher),” he added.
Ampatuan said residents should also observe proper hygiene. “Ugaliing maligo araw-araw at magpunas ng pawis. Gumamit ng powder upang maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng rashes (Take a bath every day, always wipe and dry your sweat and use powder to prevent rashes),” he said. Rashes are abnormal changes in skin color, or texture, caused by skin inflammation.
Because of climate change, he said residents in ARMM should be more cautious as these diseases could develop into serious cases. Moreover, he warned people, especially those with hypertension, of possible heat stroke. He advised them to drink at least 8 to 12 glasses of water daily to avoid dehydration.
The DOH-ARMM, he said, has various projects to help residents suffering from these common diseases. He encouraged them to go to the nearest Regional Health Units, or to the DOH-ARMM office, for free check-ups and medicines.
“Kung may nararamdaman, huwag mag-atubili na pumunta at magpatingin sa mga malapit ng Rural Health Center para mabigyan ng lunas at maiwasan ang komplikasyon. Ang pagtulong sa mga nangangailangan ay mandato ng ating ahensya, (If they are suffering from the diseases mentioned, I encourage them to go to the Regional Health Centers nearest their localities for immediate cure and to avoid further complications. Helping the marginalized is part of the mandate of DOH-ARMM),” Ampatuan said. (Bureau of Public Information)
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