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DOH advises employers to give employees an afternoon ‘health break’

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – Employers should allow their employees to go on an afternoon health break to allow them to move around and do brief exercises as a measure to promote their well-being.

This was one of the recommendations made by Department of Health medical officer Dr. Rolando Lilienthal Bucoy after he discussed the disturbing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority that shows that more than five thousand people in the Zamboanga Peninsula have died from cardiovascular diseases in 2020.

Appearing in the Kapihan sa PIA, Bucoy said  cardiovascular-related illnesses remain the leading cause of death in the country, of which a total of 97,475 succumbed to Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) in 2020, representing 15.7 percent of the total registered deaths nationwide.

Zamboanga Peninsula, in particular, faced a significant burden of heart-related ailments, contributing to approximately 5,400 deaths in 2020. Among the areas within the region, Zamboanga City stood out with the highest number of recorded deaths attributed to heart diseases. 

Bucoy said to maintain a healthy heart, he’s recommending that people follow a healthy diet, like opting for vegetables and fruits over processed meat, refraining from cigarette smoking, adopting a low-fat diet, and engaging in at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.

“Observe a healthy heart every day, and this will prolong your life,” Bucoy emphasized. 

During this year's celebration of Heart Month in February, health authorities emphasize the importance of early detection, proper management, and lifestyle modifications to reduce the incidence of heart-related fatalities. 

Initiatives aimed at promoting healthy living and providing accessible healthcare resources must also be prioritized to safeguard the well-being of individuals across the Philippines, especially in regions facing heightened risks. (KSA/APG/RVC/EDT/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Dr. Rolando Bucoy, Medical Officer of DOH-9 shares the importance of healthy diet and exercise for healthy heart during PIA Kapihan na Zamboanga at SM City Mindpro on February 14.

About the Author

Myra Cel Espinosa

Information Officer III

Region 9

Myra Espinosa is an Information Officer of the Philippine Information Agency Region IX.  She writes news and feature stories for the agency's website and social media platforms. She is currently the program host of Kapihan na Zamboanga Public Briefing, as well as a news contributor for PTV News. She holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration Major in Organization and Management from Western Mindanao State University.

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