Hypertension, diabetes prevention photo tilt extended

MANILA, Philippines - Research-based health care company Novartis and its partner stakeholders have extended the deadline of submission of entries of the “Picture of Health: Photo Contest on Healthy Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar” to Aug. 15.

In partnership with the Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH), Philippine Heart Association (PHA), Philippine Society of Nephrology (PSN), Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (PSEM), and Department of Health (DOH), Novartis Healthcare Philippines launched the photo contest as part of the 2011 World Hypertension Day (WHD) commemoration last May 17.

The photo contest is open to Filipinos and local residents, aged 18 and above.

Participants must fill out and submit an online entry form by logging on to the Novartis Philippines website www.novartis.com.ph, Picture of Health Facebook Fan page www.facebook.com/WHDpictureofhealth.photocontest and Twitter account www.twitter.com/WHDpicofhealth.

Photo entries can be taken by a mobile phone camera, SLR/DSLR camera or digital “point and shoot” camera. They should creatively answer the question: “What can I do to reach and maintain my target blood pressure below 140/90 and blood sugar level below 100 mg/dl?” A short caption (less than 100 words) should accompany the photo.

Photo entries may be submitted through e-mail to [email protected], regular mail or special courier to Novartis Healthcare Philippines, Salcedo corner Gamboa Sts., Legaspi Village, Makati City 1229.

Key criteria for judging are: creativity (25 percent), composition/overall impact (25 percent), relevance (25 percent), and photo caption (25 percent).

The panel of judges will be composed of the presidents and heads of PSH, PHA, PSN, and PSEM; a DOH representative; and key Novartis officials.

The first prize winner will receive P30,000, while the second and third prize winners will receive P15,000 and P10,000, respectively.