The Association of Municipal Health Officers of the Philippines (AMHOP) – ZamboangaSibugay Chapter, an association of physicians in the field of community medicines from various Municipal Health Offices in ZamboangaSibugay held its annual election of officers for CY 2013 last January 25, 2013 at DOH-CHD Training Center, Cabatangan, Zamboanga City.

The annual meeting was actually scheduled for the HFEP Orientation spearheaded by the DOH-CHD Region IX and was attended by Municipal Health Officers of the Provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and ZamboangaSibugay, an opportune time for the MHOs to sit down and discuss health concerns to further improve the delivery of Primary Health Care amidst many pressing issues in relation to service delivery.

In this regard, while on break-out sessions during the orientation, the MHOs took the chance and agreed to finally elect a new set of officers who will lead the AMHOP for CY 2013 since most of the Municipal Health Officers (13 out of 16) including the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Arthur W. Luspowere present. 

The Association of Municipal Health Officers (AMHOP) – ZamboangaSibugay Chapter envisions to strengthen the coordination among Municipal Health Officers in the DOH programs and projects and will try to address the current and emerging health science, policy and practice issues in an effort to prevent disease and promote health. This newly revitalized group will also find ways in filling the gaps in the implementation of benefits of health workers and related issues.

What is Chikungunya? Chikungunya is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes. It is a “dengue-like” disease that affects mainly adults unlike dengue in which children are mostly affected.
What causes Chikungunya Fever?

Chikungunya disease is a viral disease transmitted in humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Aedes aegypti mosquito (also called yellow fever mosquito) is the primary transmission agent of Chikungunya Virus. In recent cases, another mosquito species named Aedes albopictus is found to be a carrier. Aedes aegypti bites during day time and hence day time mosquito bite is the main reason for transmission.

Presence of stagnated water in and around human inhabitation is one of the main causes of increased aedes mosquito population. This in turn causes a large number of mosquito bites leading to the rapid spread of Chikungunya virus.

A Chikungunya symptom includes:
1. severe and persistent joint pain- the main and the most problematic symptom of Chikungunya.
2. body rash- usually on limbs and trunks
3. headache
4. fever -can reach up to 104 degree Celsius
5. Redness in eye and difficulty in looking at light

Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay – The National Convention of Community Based Forest Management or commonly known as CBFM was set to go with an Opening Program on January 21 which started at 10:00 o’clock in the morning in the presence of more or less 200 delegates coming from the People’s Organizations (P.O.s) of the different regions in the country.

The activity was graced by the presence of some of the provincial and municipal officials of Zamboanga Sibugay headed by Governor Rommel A. Jalosjos and 1st Congressional District Representative, Boyet Yambao.

In his welcome remarks and message, Jalosjos declared “no more false hopes” referring to his support to CBFM and his commitment to help strengthen the P.O.s so that in the end, these organizations will be helping one another to achieve their common goals and aspirations and work hard towards the same direction.

He (Jalosjos) congratulated the members of the P.O.s for their best efforts and sacrifices in protecting the forestlands and the mangroves.

The governor even pronounced that the P.O.s deserved the medals of recognition for surviving through the years despite their hardships and difficulties.

The message of the governor gained positive nods among the delegates who were present especially when he committed to work by all means in order to deliver his promises and regain the trust and confidence of the P.O.s in the government before the year 2017 when CBFM will be completely devolved to the local government units (LGUs).