by Wilhelmina S. Orozco
Everyday, I hear Doctor Duque, Philippine Health Secretary talk about the swine flu or the H1N1 virus which causes colds, cough and fever or just influenza among people. It is a good way of communicating to the public how the government is attending to epidemics that could come our way. However, this is only one among so many that are afflicting the general populace. The worst disease we have here is tuberculosis, especially in the urban poor and rural areas where burning dried ricefields in preparation for next planting season occurs regularly, and where cigarette smoking is deemed a normal habit. Also, the illnesses of the elderly are hardly talked about, like back pains, arthritis, although a lot of advertisements for herbal supplements that address these diseases are aired over the radio and tv constantly.
Yet if we look at the state of health care in the United Kingdom, we can see that we are still very far off from truly being called nurturing of the people's conditions. There, the patients get free health care and can even have varied choices for a disease like low back pain. They can be offered accupunture, massage or exercises, all these for free.
Women who want to check if they have AIDS or not after having a night out with their lovers can have themselves checked and get medicines all for free. Female parents enjoy also allowances per child.
So in the coming elections, let us check which presidential candidate will be able to say and stick by his or her word that the health care of our country shall be at par with that of the UK and all other developed countries. Let us not lower the bar for the qualifications of people in this highest position of the land.
NEWS
Patients with persistent low back pain should be offered acupuncture, massages or exercises on the NHS, says guidance.
It is the first time the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has explicitly backed the use of complementary therapies.
The rationing watchdog said evidence suggests they help and will be cost effective if doctors stop providing less proven back services like X-rays.
The move was welcomed by some charities and experts but criticised by others.
Patients whose pain is not improving should have access to a choice of different therapies including acupuncture, structured exercise and manual therapy
Professor Peter Littlejohns of NICE
Do you agree?
Low back pain is a very common problem affecting one in three adults in the UK each year, with an estimated 2.5 million people seeking help from their GP.
For many people the pain goes away in days or weeks. But for some, the pain can persist for a long time and become debilitating.
NICE says anyone whose pain persists for more than six weeks and up to a year should be given a choice of several treatments, because the evidence about which works best is uncertain.
Complementary therapies
In addition to painkillers and regular advice to stay active and carry on with normal activities as much as possible, patients, together with their doctor, can decide to opt one of three complementary treatments.
This includes up to eight exercise sessions or 10 sessions of acupuncture over 12 weeks, or a course of manual therapy, which includes up to nine sessions of spinal manipulation, mobilisation or massage.
BBC NEWS 26 May 2009 00:05 UK
Painting: Modigliani, City of Drawers
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