Musical instruments donated

Several musical instruments were turned over by the Jazz Society of Negros to the West Negros Jazz Ensemble in its continuing thrust to spread jazz as an art form in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, a press release from promoters said.

The donation of two trumpets, a snare drum, bass strings and drum sticks was in line with the 5th Bacolod Jazz Festival, to be held February 2014, to help prepare local talents showcase their musical abilities, the press release also said.

The turnover of the donation was attended by Bob Coscolluela, Mia Gonzaga and Jojo Montinola of the Jazz Society of Negros, vice president Lloyd Bautista of the WNU Academic Affairs, band director Michael John Tambasen and director Cesar Pacalioga of the Office of the Academic Support Services, the press release added.*

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Caution up on
stem cell treatment

The Philippine Regulatory Commission and the Professional Regulatory Board of Medicine have joined the Department of Health in warning patients, who plan to undergo the stem cell treatment, following reports of questionable activities associated with the practice.

In their position papers, the PRC and PRBOM said there are precautions to be observed, like verifying the status of clinics, hospitals and practitioners from the regulatory authorities, especially in foreign countries.

The PRBOM said it agrees with DOH Administrative Order 2013-0012, that provides guidelines for cell-based therapy in the country.

“The practice of stem cell therapy does not constitute standard care at the present time," the PRBOM said. “The claim that it offers cure to numerous diseases and conditions have not been proven through scientific research and documentation,” it added.

It said that, at this time, it is still difficult to verify the claims of practitioners and institutions on the effectivity of available treatment modalities.

The PRBOM said it also recognized the authority of DOH in the screening and licensing of health facilities, and other matters relating to the practice of stem cell therapy.

The Board said that Philippine embassies can also be contacted for information on institutions that perform questionable treatments. Foreign medical professional societies can also be contacted to verify the status of physicians claiming to be experts in stem cell therapy.

The rights of patients in foreign countries should be researched, including medical insurance, the system of administrative investigations for erring practitioners and the like. Patients should not expect the therapy to be a cure-all for diseases and medical conditions, the position papers said.*PNA

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