ZAMBOANGA CITY, (PNA) -– The Department of Health (DOH) has conducted a seminar on smoking and health and nutritional guidelines for the members of the local media to equip them with the knowledge on the ill effects of smoking.
The seminar, dubbed as Health Issues 101: Smoking and Health and 2013 Nutritional Guidelines, was held Monday at the Marcian Garden Hotel in this city.
“This (seminar) is for the media group in order that the media practitioners of Zamboanga City will be able to report correctly any issues related to smoking and health,” DOH regional information officer Teresita Dela Cruz said at the sideline of the seminar.
“I’m sure correct information will reach the people faster with the help of the media. The DOH cannot do it alone we need partners like the media to help us in disseminating the correct information related to smoking and health,” she added.
The topics discussed were the following: The tobacco epidemic; dangers of tobacco and smoke; and, 2013 nutritional guidelines.
Dela Cruz said they are focusing on smoking and health since many of the people seem to disregard or ignore the ill effects of smoking and “many of the people are not aware that second hand smoke could affect their health.”
Dela Cruz said that nutrition was integrated because they believe that it is equally important to the health of the people.
She said there is an urgent need for the residents to know the guidelines related to nutrition because the region has high malnutrition rate among children. She did not give specific figures.
“Many children are getting obese and we would like to do something about that. Even pregnant mothers, lactating mothers, should know what are the proper nutrition for their children,” she said.
Those who attended the seminar are reporters from the print, radio and television.