“Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines along with cancer, heart disease, and stroke,” said Dr. Niño Jessielito Doydora, internist-pulmonologist at OSPA-Farmers Medical Center, Ormoc Doctor’s Hospital, and Gatchalian Hospital.
“But the good thing is that pneumonia is preventable through vaccination.”
Dr. Doydora shared this information in his keynote speech during the pilot implementation of the free pneumonia immunization program for senior citizens at Ormoc City Superdome in Ormoc City, Leyte.
With the campaign theme “Bakunado si Lolo at Lola Iwas Pulmonya,” around 400 senior citizens benefitted from the program. Participants were from six clustered districts of Ormoc City which included Curva District, Doña Felisa Mejia District, Ipil District, Linao District, San Pablo District, and Valencia District.
The immunization program was led by the Department of Health, City Government of Ormoc led by Mayor Richard Gomez, and the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs.
Dr. Doydora emphasized the importance of educating people about the nature of pneumonia, its complications, and how to prevent the disease.
He further explained that the most common cause of pneumonia is the bacteria known as Streptococcus pneumoniae. However, the pulmonologist clarified that aside from bacteria, viruses and fungi can also lead to the development of pneumonia.
Pneumonia is a disease that causes inflammation of the air sacs in one or both lungs. It can be caused by a variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It is most life-threatening for infants, the elderly, and people with health problems or weakened immune systems. Symptoms may include the difficulty breathing, coughing, fever, and weakness.
Elderly patients suffering from pneumonia are more prone to severe complications, hospitalization, and even death due to their compromised immune systems and pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes and chronic lung, kidney, or heart conditions, among others.
During the program, Dr. Sarah Hermoso, Ormoc City Health Department – National Immunization Program manager, shared that the objective of the program is to introduce the value of vaccination to the citizens of Ormoc City.
“Ang amo gusto nga mabakunahan ang mga senior citizens, nga nag edad ug 60 years old and above, para makalikay sila sa sakit nga pneumonia. Labi na nga ang atong senior citizens mao na sila ang prone ine nga sakit (What we want is that all senior citizens, 60 years old and above, should be immunized so they can avoid pneumonia. Especially since senior citizens are prone to this disease),” said Hermoso.
When asked about his thoughts on the immunization program, Ebenesir Molinas, one of the senior citizens who got free pneumonia vaccination, said he was grateful to the government for coming up with such a program that aims to protect the senior citizens which he claimed as one of the most underrated members of the society.
“I am really grateful that programs like the ‘Bakunado si Lolo at Lola, Iwas Pulmonya’ exists. There is no better way for the government to show that they value the elderly than ensuring that they are protected from deadly diseases like pneumonia,” he shared.
Felix Inghug, another recipient of the pneumonia vaccine, pointed out the importance of immunization to senior citizens.
“Senior citizens like me must eliminate their doubts and instead just give their full trust and confidence to the pneumococcal vaccine because this is proven to be effective not only in the Philippines but across the United States and Europe,” said Inghug.