All eight (8) Local Health Insurance Offices (LHIO) of PhilHealth Regional Office VI received the Department of Health’s (DOH) Red Orchid Hall of Fame award in its effort to eliminate tobacco use and exposure during the 7th Red Orchid Awards held at The Oriental Hotel in Tacloban City.

PhilHealth’s LHIOs in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Bacolod, Iloilo (Passi), Kabankalan, Sagay and Sara garnered a 91-100 percent score for implementing a Tobacco-Free Environment based on the DOH’s criteria, thus giving them their third Red Orchid Awards.

“PhilHealth is firm in its commitment to ensure and maintain a tobacco-free environment along with the DOH. We are delighted to receive the awards as an evidence of the massive campaign of our office to curb tobacco use and exposure,” said Lourdes F. Diocson, Regional Vice-President.

The Red Orchid Awards is the DOH’s search among government hospitals, offices and Local Government Units (LGUs) for implementing the 100 percent Tobacco-Free Environment and meeting the quality standards on tobacco prevention and control set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“As advocates of healthy lifestyle, we in PhilHealth strongly encourage our clients to quit smoking because it is among the top causes of illnesses. We want to inculcate awareness on the effects of smoking not only to the smokers but to their families as well,” said Dr. Mary Therese Esther I. De Roja, Medical Specialist I and Anti-Smoking Focal Point Person of PhilHealth VI.

The Anti-Smoking Committee of the regional office headed by De Roja and composed of a representative per LHIO takes the lead in the campaign for smoking cessation through the display of graphic warning signs in the office, strict implementation of a 10-meter radius smoking ban, incorporating health classes during orientations and assigning personnel to the smoking cessation clinic in the office.

PhilHealth VI joined the search since 2012 and has consistently won the Red Orchid Award. (END) (Klarissa N. Alkonga)

(Reference: Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas, Head Executive Assistant and Concurrent OIC-Vice President for Corporate Affairs Group, Cel No. 0917-8089399)