28 November 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria conducted a Health Awareness seminar on HIV/AIDS, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Diabetes and Hypertension at the Philippine Embassy Conference Room on November 22. About thirty participants, mostly women OFWs, Embassy personnel and their dependents, attended the interactive seminar.

The seminar aimed to equip Filipinos with information on the effective protection from and prevention of diseases affecting vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.

Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria, Alex V. Lamadrid, in his welcome address, informed the participants that the seminar’s emphasis on health shows the importance of access to correct health information for proper guidance and prevention, especially for the female Filipino population in Nigeria. Ambassador Lamadrid also noted that the seminar is being held as part of the Embassy’s commemoration of the World AIDS Day on December 01.

Facilitated by Dr. Ryan D. Canlas, Clinic Physician of the United Nations System in Nigeria, the seminar tackled the causes and prevention of HIV, EVD, and other diseases that are prevalent in West Africa. During the open forum, audience members took the opportunity to clarify with the Filipino doctor some myths about HIV/AIDS, EVD, diabetes and hypertension. Dr. Canlas emphasized preventive measures against the disease, since an ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure.

Dr. Canlas expressed his gratitude to the Embassy for inviting him as a speaker, his first since arriving in Nigeria, and praised the Embassy for spearheading noteworthy activities for the benefit of the Filipinos in that country. The participants appreciated the useful information they learned during the seminar, and looked forward to similar events in the future. END