02 July 2013 - As part of its continuing commitment for a more healthy lifestyle, the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Ladies Foundation (DFALF), in partnership with the DFA Gender and Development (GAD) and Pfizer, Inc., sponsored a Health and Wellness Day on June 29 at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini with the theme “Partners for a Healthy Work Force.”
The major highlights of the event were the free medical check-up provided by medical practitioners and technicians from Pfizer Inc. as well as the lecture on lifestyle diseases and women’s health provided by Dr. Raymund M. Laiz, Medical Director of the Asia Medical Hub Asssociates, Inc., United Health Care.
The medical examinations included blood chemistry, urinalysis, BP-BMI and
bone screening, and those who participated were given their immediate medical results. Consultations were also made available for the DFA personnel to discuss the results for appropriate medical advice. Ideal Vision Center provided free eye check-up and consultations.
In his presentation, Dr. Laiz focused on lifestyle diseases which for the past decade have been the leading causes of death overtaking infectious diseases (tuberculosis, pneumonia). Lifestyle diseases include cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. He said that high blood pressure and hypertension, if not properly monitored, can lead to heart attack or stroke.
He also spoke about osteoporosis, a condition which results to weakening of the bones and could lead to fracture. Elderly Asian women and family history are risk factors which make individuals more prone to osteoporosis.
To an audience composed mostly of women, Dr. Laiz emphasized that lifestyle diseases can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle. He noted, "A healthy lifestyle involves proper nutrition (a balanced diet with low carbs and limited saturated fat content), daily intake of at least eight glasses of water, moderate drinking, regular physical exercises and quitting smoking."
Aside from the lecture of Dr. Laiz, Dr. Jessica Ko Dee of Ideal Vision Center also spoke on eye diseases.
Dr. Dee, on the other hand, spoke on computer vision syndrome, cataract and glaucoma condition and lifestyle eye disease that affects vision.
Over 350 DFA and service personnel availed of the one-day free medical services. Pfizer, on the other hand, expressed willingness for a continued partnership on an annual or bi-annual basis.
Ms. Lorraine Espiritu, DFALF Project Chair, expressed her appreciation to the speakers, to Pfizer, to the Ideal Vision Center, to the medical personnel, and lastly to the DFALF officers and members whose presence and participation made the activity a truly fruitful and meaningful one.
"The overall response to this one-day health and wellness event was very positive and 
well-appreciated by our DFA people. Maybe we can do this again before the year ends. Pfizer is willing to co-sponsor the event once more," noted DFALF Vice President Norma Pastrana .
"This is a gender and development agenda, and we are happy that our people took advantage of the opportunity to have their health checked,” concluded Dyan Miranda, GAD focal point for the DFA. END