by Justin Badlis (Crypton)
The UPLB Genetics Society continuously promotes the health and well-being of Filipino communities, as one of the pioneer organizations of the Volunteer Youth Leader for Health Philippines (VYLH-Philippines). Despite the pandemic, the organization continues its support of its advocacies in an online fashion.
In line with this, the organization called upon the participation of organizations from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, to attend the VYLH-LB Orientation via Zoom this August 25, 2020, aimed to inform aspiring partners to know more about VYLH and its current advocacies. Current advocacies include Folic Acid Awareness, Preconception Health, Newborn Screening, and Rare Diseases.
Former junior adviser of the UPLB Genetics Society, Prof. Jickerson P. Lado (Integrons) commenced the program with cheerful greetings on behalf of Dr. Merlyn Mendioro, the VYLH-LB adviser. Prof. Jickerson expressed his joy on how the VYLH’s advocacies are going viral in online platforms. He also reminisced the growth of VYLH, from just starting with Folic Acid Campaign (FAC), to the multiple advocacies and activities it now spearheads to promote people’s health. He ended his opening remarks by calling upon the youth to continue the advocacies for generations to come.
Rufus Thomas Adducul, M.Sc. (Enhanceosome), the national president of the VYLH, is the first to have discussed of the network’s advocacies, starting with Birth Defect Screening and Folic Acid. Folic acid is a synthetic supplement as opposed to folate being naturally produced. Everyone needs folic acid, he explained by highlighting its various functions in the human body, including its role in DNA production, protein synthesis, and new cell production. He noted that everyone requires regular folic acid supplementation to replenish the amount needed by our bodies.
Regarding its importance with fetal development, folic acid supplementation prevents 70% neural tube defects, including spina bifida and anencephaly. Adducul ended his presentation by reiterating its importance to everyone, especially to women in the reproductive age, women trying to conceive, and pregnant women. “Give your baby the best chance to live by being healthy with good nutrition,” Adducul said before wrapping up his presentation.
The next speaker, Jeanne Ruth Basas, RND, an alumna of PAN-AO, and coordinator of NCR & South Luzon Cluster of VYLH-Philippines, discussed Preconception Health, particularly in the local context. She started her discussion by presenting statistical data concerning preterm birth and infant mortality, with preterm birth being the second leading cause of death among children under the age of 5. The Philippines ranked 9th on the number of preterm births in 2016, with 34 Filipino babies dying each day because of complications from preterm birth. We can prevent some of these fatal birth defects through preconceptual care in both men and women. Preconception Health, as Basas defined, is the health of both women and men during their reproductive years, with Preconception care aiming to reduce risks of both adverse maternal and child health problems. She emphasized component activities in preconception care, which includes risk assessment, health promotion, health education, and intervention. The discussion once again invoked the importance of folic acid, as its supplementation could prevent neural tube defects. Basas ended her presentation by encouraging the youth to raise awareness on preconception care.
Rufus Adducul, on behalf of Aljon Garcia (Polyplex), current VYLH-LB Advocacy Head from the UPLB Genetic Society, presented another advocacy, the Newborn Screening of newborn infants. Adducul started the presentation by showing same-aged children, both having the same congenital disease but with one living normally for being able to have undergone Newborn Screening. He defined Newborn Screening (NBS) as a public health program aimed and mitigate mental retardation/intellectual disability and death of affected individuals. Through NBS can save up to 33,000 newborns in a year, roughly 4 babies every hour. As of today, standard NBS test the following disorders: Congenital Hypothyroidism, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Phenylketonuria, Galactosemia, Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency, and Maple Syrup Urine Disease. He then explained how health workers conduct NBS, with babies screened on the 24th hour of life. Adducul ended his presentation with a simple quote: “A simple drop of blood saves lives”.
Afterwards, a Q&A session clarified questions on the VYLH and its advocacies.
John Kenneth S. Tria (Allosyndesis), current president of the UPLB Genetics Society, formally closed the orientation, ending with a quote from Ronald Reagan “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone”.
Volunteerism is a noble act of giving freely to the community and to those in need, in whichever method or means. VYLH Philippines gives youth organizations an opportunity to aid public health through its advocacies. GeneSoc, alongside other core organizations in VYLH-Philippines, will continue to inspire others the simple act of giving for generations to come.
For more information on the VYLH-Philippines, its advocacies and activities, visit https://sites.google.com/site/vylhphilippines/
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