The Department of Health (DOH) may recommend to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) the banning on the importation of mercury-containing products in the Philippines.

In a telephone interview, Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral reiterated that mercury is highly toxic so the use of any product containing the substance should be prohibited.

“I think products like fluorescent lamps have mercury. We will propose to the DENR that these products be banned. We will see,” she said.

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can affect the kidney and the nervous, digestive, respiratory and immune systems.

In 2008, the DOH issued Administrative Order (AO) No. 21 imposing the “gradual phaseout of mercury in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions.”

The AO is in line with the stand of the World Health Organization in 1991 that a “safe level of mercury exposure, below which no adverse effect,” has never been established.

Cabral reminded all hospitals, infirmary, lying-in clinics and other health facilities that they have until December this year to comply with the phaseout.

“The DOH has not been registering thermometer and blood pressure apparatus with mercury (because of that AO). We want to remind health care facilities that they have until this year to switch to alternative devices,” she said.

The two medical devices that contain mercury are thermometers and sphygmomanometers used to take the blood pressure of a person.

The non-governmental organization Health Care Without-Southeast Asia, which has been advocating for the ban, gave assurance that digital alternatives for these devices are easily available and affordable.

By next year, Cabral said there should be no mercury devices in the Philippines so health care facilities should have already started phasing them out.

Source: Philstar

The unbalanced discovery boosts the unseen blast.

The Nurse Licensure Exam was held last November 29-30, 2008. At least 39,455 or 44.51% out of 88,649 examinees that took the November 2008 Nursing Board have passed, the Professional Regulatory Commission has announced the result today. All daily newspaper will also release the result in print tomorrow.(source: PINOYBSN. )

My surname was assigned in Arellano, High School near Dapitan during those days. My friends knew all about this and they keep on saying me: “hoy! Magaral ka, tulog ka ng tulog!”. I have this sickness of whenever I read something that is too boring (Nurse Medical Surgical book) I slept at it. The only thing I do, during those days was to listen to our professor while lecturing. I never keep an eye, of course I blink. But my mind is awake. I admit, I sometimes feel sleepy but I fight those daydreaming in class. To my Royal Pentagon Family! My mentors—Mr. Ferdie Valdez( The medical surgical master), Atty. Glenn Luansing( The nurse and atty. *legal expert!), Mr. Jerome Balisnomo (The Maternal care Nursing Simplifier), Mr. Dyeri Andamo (The Community Health Nurse Practitioner), and last but not the least Mr. Mike Jimenez ( The Psychiatric Wizard). Thank you so much for all the laughter and knowledge you have shared on. Pentagon stills the number 1 review center! I miss you so much!.

I also want to say thank you to all my friends during my review days—Crystalyn Marquez, San Juan Christine, Kristine Lim, Mary Grace, Patrick Moulic etc.. (who always think positive! Even I’m the opposite). They really help me during those days, Tanungan ever, during breaks, brain storming and our eating trip. Kuya darl who is the bf of Christine–thank you!.

Best of all to my ka-tropang wayas—who always say “ikaw pa! papasa ka niyan!”—Jhona, Jhao, Katrina, Ruth, Mckoy, Corie and Jenny. I missed you guys! Without you, I maybe lose the trust to myself. You always keep me going, you are all my genuinely friend in FEU that I will always treasure, the friendship and most of all our good times together. Maybe we are now separating our ways, because some of us are going to work and live in different places and country. We all dream of this, remember?. I love you guys!

My colleagues and group mates in Far Eastern University of University of Perpetual Help Manila whom I shared my half years in both school. I’m really blessed to know you guys. It is once in a lifetime chance to become a college student, when you already graduate. You’ll surely miss! Soar up high! Make a difference batch 2008!!!

My clinical instructors who guide us all through out our duties in different hospitals. For sharing your knowledge and skills. My lecturers who gave us so much headache lols every single day. Memorizing all those medical related stuff. To the dean of perpetual Mrs.Melinda Gablan thank you for being the– SCARY DEAN haha. Without all those terrors shouting of you, we will not become the person we are now.

To all my blogger friends thank you also for sharing your life with me. I promised to keep your secrets!.

To my inspiration and my life—Parents and families, you are the biggest percentage who prayed for me. I know you always want me to become the professional nurse. You always there to cheer me up and assist me during those difficult times. My mom, who always wakes up every morning to prepare my breakfast and baon, who always there for me since I was a little girl. My dad, who believes in me, who supports me financially, who works in saudie since I was born. Without my parents, I’m not here. I will never become a girl of today.

To God to be the glory, to where I shared this achievement. To whom I always talk everyday. To the lord that never failed to love me and guide me since I was born in this world. To where my sanity was forgotten by him. Who gave all his never ending love. Who walks with me all along this journey called life. The master that I served. To where I dedicate my licensed. As I continue serving people, God will always be my master and my teacher.

All signed with kisses and hugz
ANTONIO, JENIFFER SAMBLANI R.N.
February 20, 2009

PS: If you want to download the list of the nurses who passed the board exam November 2008. Simply click this –>LINK <-- you can also visit The PinoyBSN.blogspot.com and PRC.gov.ph

So here’s the picture of 2GO quick pack and also the lovely valentine’s chocolate lollipops.

The chocolates are molded into flowers, butterflies and turtle?(I can’t figure it out). The colors are red, pink and white. Perfect for valentines!. It taste so sweet and addictive. Haha. I even forgot to breathe, kidding. I give some to my pamangkin’s and they love it too.

But the best thing about this is not the chocolates itself but the one who made it by her hand, Ate honey’s sweet and loving personality is the best ingredients for this chocolates. I even think that she can make her own small business with this chocolates. We all love chocolates, who doesn’t? so it will be a nice product to start on this year. Keep it going your passion Ate honey.