Neurology group urges exercise for healthy mind

The Philippine Neurological Association (PNA) emphasized that neurology is one of the lesser understood fields of medicine in the country.

In line with this, the officers and board of governors of the PNA embarked on a massive information dissemination on neurology’s importance during this year’s observance of National Neurology Week.

With the theme “Pangangalaga ng Utak, Paalala ng Bawat Padyak,” the National Neurology Week celebration urged the public to engage in physical activities such as biking and other forms of physical exercises to achieve a healthy mind.

Dr. Johnny Lokin, PNA president, in his opening remarks during the recent launch of National Neurology Week said Filipinos should engage more in exercise such as biking.

“Each time we pedal, it’s like taking care of our brain,’’ he said in Filipino.

He added that Presidential Proclamation No. 1652 will help the public understand the diseases of the brain, spinal cord and the nerves.

“We want to impart our knowledge on neurology to our fellowmen. It (National Neurology Week celebration) is our way of giving back to our beloved country,” Lokin said.

Dr. Annette Bautista, PNA treasurer, said several activities during the observance of National Neurology Week included outreach program in Dingalan, Aurora, free outpatient services in selected key cities in the country and information dissemination on the importance of neurology to the young, through the “Start Them Young” program, a project of Dr. Raquel Alvarez, past PNA president.

Bautista shared that there is a need to inform the public about neurology. “We are still deficient in disseminating information about the field of neurology and our role to the Filipino patients,” she said.   

Prior to the program, survey sheets were distributed to the participants in Quezon Memorial Circle to assess their knowledge on stroke and its treatment.

Bautista revealed that respondents remained clueless of the field of specialization they need to go once they had a stroke.

Quezon City councilor Ariel Inton thanked the PNA for holding the annual observance in their city. “The observance will help no less than our 200,000 registered senior citizens in the city,” he said. 

Stroke, the most common neurological illness, affects 486 out of 100,000 Filipinos, said former PNA president Dr. Jose Navarro. 

To prevent stroke among Filipinos, Otsuka (Philippines) Pharmaceutical Inc. (OPPI) launched the i-Stroke program (Information on Stroke Issues, Prevention, and Treatment) during PNA’s 29th annual convention in Cagayan de Oro City last year.

The goal of the program is to provide patients with essential and vital information on stroke and empower them to make the right decisions on stroke prevention and treatment.

For inquiries, call the i-Stroke hotline at 811-4723 for GMA/Metro Manila or 1-800-1888-4723 for provincial calls.

In 2007, President Arroyo issued Presidential Proclamation 1408 and more recently Presidential Proclamation No. 1652 declaring the second week of November as Neurology Week which aims to bring awareness about neurology and its related diseases.