Bacolod volunteer doctor advocates 'Freedom Health' vs. Covid

BACOLOD CITY – A volunteer medical doctor in the city’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis since last year has urged Bacolodnons to exercise the “Freedom Health” to fight the pandemic.

“As we enjoy today the freedom brought about by the sacrifices and efforts of our forefathers, let us also practice ‘Freedom Health’ in our daily lifestyle so we will become victorious against the malady of this pandemic and likewise enjoy freedom from the Covid-19 virus,” Dr. Hector Gayares said in his message as the guest of honor and speaker during the 123rd Philippine Independence Day rites held at the Bacolod Public Plaza.

Gayares is the medical deputy of the city’s Emergency Operations Center and a private sector representative in the Covid-19 Vaccination Council.

He was among the first six front-line medical workers in Western Visayas to be inoculated against Covid-19 using Sinovac’s CoronaVac, during the vaccination rollout here on March 5.

In his message, Gayares shared that "freedom" is the acronym for the seven tips or guidelines to have a “winning internal armed forces or immune system.”

"F" stands for fluids. “We are advised to drink at least eight glasses of water per day. I say, water. Not beer or any alcoholic beverages,” he said.

"R" refers to rest, based on the advice that a person should sleep at least six hours to eight hours per 24 hours. “The time of sleep should coincide with our circadian rhythm. Awake and working by day, asleep and resting by night. That is the natural order for restoration of cellular functions and life,” he said.

"E" stands for exercise. “Even just a 30-minute exercise per day does wonders for your body,” Gayares said.

“In my line of administrative work, stress is all around me. No matter what stress-relieving technique I do, like compartmentalization or other mental defense mechanisms, stress will continue to reveal its ugly head. Jogging and walking have helped me keep stress at bay,” he said.

The second "E" refers to the environment. “What in the environment impacts our immune system? We have both the sunshine and the air. A 30-minute exposure to the early morning sun will provide you 20,000 to 30,000 international units of Vitamin D. Scientific studies in Japan have shown that forest bathing, that is inhaling the air in the forest, has shown to increase the levels of natural killer cells in the body,” he said.

“The next letter, for me, is the most important part of the healthy lifestyle that will optimize our immune system. Letter 'D' stands for Divine help. All the other concepts that each letter stands for will be nothing without the help of our Almighty God. I believe this concept is universal,” Gayares said.

“Our collective prayers are so essential not only for our personal healing but also for the healing of our city and the nation as a whole.”

Letter "O" stands for our outlook. “(This) infers to our mental health, our outlook in life, our perception of things, events, and circumstances. If you always think negatively, I assure you, sickness will always be your companion,” Gayares said.

“The last letter in Freedom Health is letter 'M', which stands for your meal. Food is the fuel for our body. I believe that we have been created by God and likewise, he has prescribed to us the proper fuel that we should put into our body. Fruits grains, nuts, and vegetables are our prescribed food way from the beginning,” he said.

Gayares, a surgery clinician, professor, and hospital administrator, was the president and medical director of the Adventist Medical Center Bacolod from 2011 to 2018, and chief executive officer of the Adventist International Health System Philippines from July 2018 to April 2021.

Since May, he has been sitting as the chief executive officer of the Scheer Memorial Adventist Hospital in Banepa, Nepal.

This year’s Philippine Independence Day celebration, which carried the theme “Kalayaan 2021: Diwa sa Pagkakaisa at Paghilom ng Bayan”, was led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya. (PNA)

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https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1143489
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