SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — The accredited Level 3 public hospitals in the Ilocos Region now offer screening for Attention-Deficit/
Said public hospitals are the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) in this city; the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) in Dagupan City, Pangasinan; and the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC) in Batac City, Ilocos Norte.
Pediatricians and resident doctors of ITRMC, R1MC, and MMMHMC were trained by the Philippine Society for Development and Behavioral Pediatrics to screen patients with possible behavioral disorders.
According to Dr. Navid Roodaki, pediatrician of ITRMC, ADHD is a neuro-developmental disorder of which patients are most commonly diagnosed during adolescence.
Roodaki advised parents and guardians to bring their children to the nearest hospitals in their areas in the region for screening and consultation if their kids are suffering from difficulty focusing, being hyperactive, and fidgeting.
“Kapag pumitik na ‘yong maternal instinct ng nanay na there is something wrong with her child, she can always seek consultation from our doctors,” Roodaki said.
He added, “First question sa ating tool ay sa tingin ba ng parent ay may problema sa anak nya? And that’s a big factor at kung makitang may problema talaga ay saka natin ire-refer sa psychiatrist.”
Treatment and management for ADHD vary since it will depend on the assessment of the doctor.
“Kapag malala ang ADHD, we give them medications which include stimulants para mapataas ‘yong kemikal sa utak nila na makakatulong para makapag-focus sila,” he stated.
On the other hand, manageable cases of ADHD are not given medications but instead encouraged to build a strong support group and environment.
“Hanggang manageable pa ‘yong kaso, kailangan tulung-tulong ‘yong mga indibidwal sa within the environment of the child, especially the parents, entire family, friends, and even the attending physician or pediatrician,” Roodaki said.
He added, “Dahil minsan ang batang may ADHD ay misjudged ng society. Dapat ‘yong acceptance at matibay na strong support ay magsisimula sa pamilya ng pasyente.”
Meanwhile, in ITRMC, outpatient department for consultation is open from Mondays to Fridays.
ITRMC advises the public to book an OPD appointment via www.itrmc.org/OPDsched and wait for the confirmation message to be sent via text message. BY CAREN GRACE R. CABANAYAN-CARBONELL
