Health Groups Join Hands in Fight Against Meningitis

The Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV) together with the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS), Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) & the Philippine Neurological Association (PNA), in collaboration with the Confederation of Meningitis Organization (CoMO) are joining hands in the fight against meningitis in the observance of the World Meningitis Day.

The World Meningitis Day, now on its 4^th year, is an international celebration which unites meningitis organizations, health, and vaccine advocates around the globe…

…towards the single mission of raising awareness about the devastating effects of meningitis and septicaemia and encouraging its prevention through vaccination.

“We are very much fortunate that there are so many organizations who are working together with us achieving the goal of a world free of meningitis. We appreciate the support of the media in helping us in making the public aware that meningitis can be prevented by vaccination, says Dr. May Book Montellano, President of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination”

About Meningitis

• Meningitis is an inflammation of the fluid and membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. There are three types of meningitis infection: bacterial, viral, or fungal/environmental.
• Meningitis kills or disables around 1.2 million people worldwide each year.
• Bacterial meningitis, which is the most severe and common form of meningitis, causes around 120,000 deaths globally every year.
• Even with prompt diagnosis and treatment, approximately 10% of patients will die within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of symptoms, and up to 20% or more will sustain permanent damage and disability.
• Infants and children under five years old and adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age are most at risk. But anyone in the world can get meningitis at any time.
• Cases are more frequent in developing countries due to poverty, overcrowding and lack of access to vaccines.
• Those surviving meningitis can have their lives devastated as a result of long-term effects, such as deafness, brain damage, learning difficulties. Seizures, difficulties with physical activities and when septicaemia is involved loss of limbs.
• Many people don’t know the warning signs or that many types of meningitis are vaccine-preventable.

Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS)

• Philippine Pediatric Society, Inc. is a specialty division of the Philippine Medical Association with members spread all over the country. It has nine chapters, representing all the regions and provinces of the Philippines. There are eleven pediatric subspecialty societies, one affiliate society and five sections under its umbrella.
• It is a professional organization of physicians caring for newborns, infants, children and adolescents; the main activities are training, research and advocacy. It is recognized nationally and internationally as leader in Philippine pediatric education and child advocacy.

Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV)

• The Philippine Foundation for Vaccination Inc. is a non-stock, non-profit organization to protect and advocate for the promotion of vaccination as essential to disease prevention, especially among infants and children. It is composed of vaccine experts and advocates fully dedicated to educate, conduct research on vaccination and contribute in sustaining the reduction of vaccine-preventable diseases.
• The organization is networking with both private and public institutions to enhance the collaboration and therefore promote a healthy nation.

Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP)

• Pediatric Infectious Disease of the Philippines (PIDSP), a subspecialty organization of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) is an active organization with a mission of battling infectious disease among children.
• Its members are committed to set the highest standards for education, training, research and practice in the field f pediatric infectious diseases. The Society continually promotes and demands professional excellence, integrity and exemplary conduct as it forges on as a leader in pediatric health care.

Philippine Neurological Association (PNA)

• The Philippine Neurological Association is an organization internationally recognized as one of the leading neurological associations in Asia in the delivery of quality neurological care, education, and research. It is composed of physicians who are dedicated in the pursuit of excellence in the delivery of neurological care, education, and research.
• It is committed to a progressive and proactive role in the promotion of health and well-being of the Filipino people and adheres to the practice of professional and ethical standards while ensuring the growth, welfare, and unity of constituents.

Confederation of Meningitis Organization (CoMO)

• The confederation of Meningitis Organization Inc. (CoMO) is an international member organization working to reduce the incidence and impact of meningitis worldwide.
• CoMO brings together patient groups, health professionals and organizations, meningitis survivors and families from ore than 25 countries to help prevent meningitis through:
• Raising public awareness of meningitis through education.
• Advocating for meningitis vaccines to be available to families worldwide.
• Connecting and resourcing a strong global network of members who make sure their communities have access to meningitis information and support.
• CoMO was founded in September 2004 at the World Conference of Meningitis Organizations when delegates from across the world agreed to work together in the fight against meningitis. Today, CoMO represents 43 member organizations from 28 countries.