Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco proudly shows the Bronze Seal of Excellence Award conferred by the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) to the Department of Health - Ilocos Region for establishing and promoting traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) during the awarding ceremony held in Quezon City on July 6, 2023
By Glen S. Ramos
THE Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) recently conferred the Bronze Seal of Excellence Award to the Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region, for establishing and promoting traditional and complementary medicines (TCM), particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAS) during the awarding ceremony held in Quezon City on July 6, 2023.
“We are honored and overwhelmed for bestowing us this excellence award. We are very thankful to PITAHC for recognizing our efforts in promoting and raising the standard of TCM in the region,” Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco stated.
“We have been continuously promoting the use of safe, effective, and quality herbal medicines and products and constantly advocating for the use of traditional medicines to treat common ailments, especially those residing in far-flung communities,” she emphasized.
Regional TCM Coordinator, Helen A. Posilero, said that the regional office has been conducting more training for acupuncture for health workers to further promote the use of alternative medicine in the communities.
“Patuloy po naming ipapalaganap ang paggamit ng traditional at alternative pamamaraan sa pangagamot upang mas marami pang mga health workers natin ang magkaroon ng karunungang makapagbigay ng alternative healthcare treatment sa mga residenteng nangangailan ng serbisyong pangkalusugan sa kanilang mga konunidad.”
The winner of the Gold Seal of Excellence Award was Region II Trauma and Medical Center for their best practices in lifting the profile of traditional and complementary medicine in their area of responsibility and the Silver Seal of Excellence went to Batangas Medical Center.
Other winners include DOH – Centers for Health Development regional offices namely; CALABARZON, Cagayan Valley, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, including two (2) DOH-retained hospitals – the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center and the Southern Isabela Medical Center also received the Bronze Seal of Excellence.
Awardees of the Seal of Excellence Award were selected based on their comprehensive efforts and achievements in implementing Republic Act 8423 or the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act of 1997 including PITAHC programs and activities.
The PITAHC’s Seal of Excellence Award is part of the agency’s 5-year communication plan envisioned to promote high-quality practice standards, inspire excellence, and community service, and raise the profile of Traditional and Complementary Medicine among Filipino health consumers.
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