DOH tells hospitals to review kidney stone cases
09/29/2008 | 03:24 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The Health department has instructed hospitals nationwide to review their records of kidney stone cases following reports that it has afflicted dozens of infants in China due to milk tainted with melamine.
In an interview with reporters during the House subcommittee hearing on the DOH's proposed 2009 budget Monday, National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Eric Tayag said they are now eyeing at least three hospitals in Metro Manila with such cases.
"May tinitignan na kami ngayon, kinukumpirma lang namin (We’re looking at some hospitals. We’re just trying to confirm the reports," said Tayag, adding that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III may announce the findings this week.
He said that if there are cases of renal stones in kids aged below five from January to August this year, they must still determine whether the incidents are related to the melamine found in milk and milk products from China.
He said renal stones could be due to congenital causes, infections, a high-salt diet, and exposure to harmful chemicals other than melamine.
Tayag said that while only children are reported to have been affected by the tainted milk, adults should likewise steer clear of milk and milk products with melamine.
"Dahil premature ang kidneys nila, mas malamang magkakasakit ang bata kesa adult. Hindi tayo dapat umiinom ng may melamine kay adult o bata (Kids are more prone to have it, but adults should also be careful)," Tayag said.
Earlier, Duque said the DOH may require even non-Chinese milk and milk product exporters to disclose the source of their ingredients following uncertainty over whether milk manufactured in other countries do not contain milk-based ingredients from China. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV
In an interview with reporters during the House subcommittee hearing on the DOH's proposed 2009 budget Monday, National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Eric Tayag said they are now eyeing at least three hospitals in Metro Manila with such cases.
"May tinitignan na kami ngayon, kinukumpirma lang namin (We’re looking at some hospitals. We’re just trying to confirm the reports," said Tayag, adding that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III may announce the findings this week.
He said that if there are cases of renal stones in kids aged below five from January to August this year, they must still determine whether the incidents are related to the melamine found in milk and milk products from China.
He said renal stones could be due to congenital causes, infections, a high-salt diet, and exposure to harmful chemicals other than melamine.
Tayag said that while only children are reported to have been affected by the tainted milk, adults should likewise steer clear of milk and milk products with melamine.
"Dahil premature ang kidneys nila, mas malamang magkakasakit ang bata kesa adult. Hindi tayo dapat umiinom ng may melamine kay adult o bata (Kids are more prone to have it, but adults should also be careful)," Tayag said.
Earlier, Duque said the DOH may require even non-Chinese milk and milk product exporters to disclose the source of their ingredients following uncertainty over whether milk manufactured in other countries do not contain milk-based ingredients from China. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV
