OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE WEEK

Occupational Health is the field of work in public health that promotes and maintain the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations. (ILO-WHO, 1950). The World Health Organization defined Occupational Health as a multi-disciplinary activity.  The goal of which is to protect workers by preventing and controlling the occurrence of occupational diseases and accidents. 

One of the most fundamental disciplines of Occupational Health that deals with the assessment of workers’ health, working conditions, processes and management of cases in the context of the workers ability to work and productivity is Occupational Medicine.  This is unique in the field of medicine since its focus is on the interface between workers’ health and the workplace. Physicians trained in occupational medicine are equipped to diagnose and treat work-related injuries and illnesses effectively.  Further, they are up-to-date on existing laws and regulations for workforce safety and health and work with employers, employees, regulation implementors and other occupational safety and health professionals to create a safer workplace. 

It is very important to emphasize that the practice of occupational medicine must not be undermined due to its implications in maintaining a safe workplace.  In the 2019/2020 Integrated Survey for Labor and Employment (ISLE), there was a 1% decrease in the total number of occurrence of occupational accidents, 6.2% decrease in occurrence of occupational injuries and 30.2% decrease on number of cases of occupational diseases as compared to the 2017/2018 ISLE data.  The changes in the data maybe attributable to the passage of the Republic Act 11058 or the OSH Law and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the DOLE Department Order No. 198-18.  The implementation of the aforementioned law reinforced the practice of occupational medicine to strengthen compliance to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards.

To further firm up the promotion of awareness in strategies to prevent and control occupational injuries and diseases to reduce work-related disability and deaths, Presidential Proclamation No. 1316 or Declaring the Third Week of March of Every Year As “Occupational Medicine Week” was promulgated on March 2, 2022. This mandates the Occupational Safety and Health Center to coordinate with relevant organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, to promote the observance of Occupational Medicine Week and identify the programs, projects and activities for the yearly celebration.

The 1st Occupational Medicine Week Celebration is expected to meet the following objectives:

1. To enhance and instill nationwide awareness and appreciation of the importance of Occupational Medicine in the promotion of awareness on strategies to prevent and control occupational injuries and diseases to reduce work-related disability and deaths;

2. To foster cooperation and support from the general public in strengthening the practice of Occupational Safety and Health in the country.