Solmux intensifies health awareness activities in QC amid outbreak

With Quezon City recently declaring an outbreak of pertussis or whooping cough, Solmux Advance— Unilab Inc.’s (Unilab) upgraded version of the highly trusted Solmux cough medicine, further intensified its health awareness campaign by gathering the city’s health workers and community volunteers to educate them about different types of cough symptoms and how to treat them.

Themed "Huwag Palalain, Ubo ay Supilin", the event attracted over 300 community health workers (CHW) and community volunteers who showed their support.

“Ang dami nating pinagdaanan mula nung nag-pandemic, tapos ngayon meron pang mga panibagong types ng ubo katulad ng pertussis. Bilang frontliners natin, kayo ang pinakamagbe-benefit sa kaalaman kung paano i-treat ang ubo at paano i-educate ang mga patients natin kung ano ba ang mga gamot na dapat gamitin. (We have been through a lot since the pandemic, and now there are new types of cough outbreaks such as pertussis. As frontliners, you will benefit the most with new learnings on how to treat cough and how to educate patients on which types of medicines to use for treatment.),” Leevan Fong, brand manager of Solmux, said in his opening speech.

The event aimed to empower and equip the CHWs from six districts in Quezon City and other participants with updated information to combat infectious diseases and cough symptoms effectively.

Quezon City Chief Health Care Operation Officer, Dr. Dave Anthony Vergara reiterated that the activity organized by Solmux Advance was the perfect timing to engage their CHWs.

“Gamitin natin itong opportunity na ito para matuto pa tayo ng impormasyon at karagdagang kaalaman. Habang kayo ay naninilbihan ay hindi kayo mahahawa at matuturuan ninyo ang iba para maibsan ang ubo at matulungan ang mga taong lumalapit sa inyo. (Let’s use this as an opportunity to learn more information. While you are serving the communities, you won’t get sick and you will be able to teach others to treat cough symptoms and help the people who come to you.),” Dr. Vergara said.

“Alagaan ninyo po ang inyong mga sarili kapag kayo ay nag-a-outreach response. Mag-mask pa rin po tayo, maghugas pa rin ng kamay, kumain ng masustansyang pagkain, mag-exercise, mag-maintenance, at magpa-check-up. Huwag nang paabutin ng two weeks ang ubo at huwag mag self-medicate. (Take care of yourselves while doing outreach response. Wear face masks, wash hands, eat healthy, exercise, take maintenance medicine, and do regular checkups. Don’t let cough get untreated for 2 weeks and don’t self medicate.),” Dr. Ramona Asuncion DG Abarquez, OIC - City Health Officer, Quezon City, highlighted as she encouraged CHWs to stay healthy.

Several CHWs shared their experiences and learnings during the health awareness activity led by Dr. Justine Danniela Arceo, Medical Officer III, SDO City of San Fernando, Pampanga. 

Dr. Arceo discussed the reasons why we cough and the different types of cough, including the recent pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak. Most importantly, she shared the importance of taking the right type of medicine for different types of cough.

While coughing is the body’s reflex to keep bacteria and foreign bodies away from our bodies, dry cough should be treated by taking expectorant medicine, and productive cough (with phlegm) should be treated by taking antitussives or mucolytics like Solmux Advance.

“Ugaliing magpakonsulta kaagad sa doktor, lalo na kung ang ubo ay higit na sa dalawang linggo na, o higit pang lumala at may kaakibat nang ibang sintomas katulad ng lagnat. (Make it a habit to consult a doctor, especially when the cough symptoms are more than two weeks or when the symptoms are worsened and joined by other symptoms like fever).” Dr. Arceo emphasized.

The lecture served as a reminder to still follow minimum public health standards like wearing of face masks, proper cough etiquette, and proper hand washing. Solmux Advance also took the opportunity to introduce the new Solmux Advance Suspension, the variant that has been fortified with two times more Zinc, which enables faster recovery from productive cough.

Along with bringing Solmux Advance closer to communities, the brand will remain steadfast in its commitment to continue its efforts for better healthcare access and awareness through events that cultivate more informed and healthier communities. So the next time you look for Solmux, remember to ask for the upgraded Solmux Advance with Zinc!