Dr. Juan Salcedo, Jr.
(September
29, 1904-October 25, 1988)
Photo
by Rosario Torres. Source: Life’s Documentation. “Juan Salcedo, Jr.- Vanguard
of Public Health.” Accessed May 22, 2014. http://personalmemoir.wordpress.com/2009/06/04/juan-salcedo-jr-vanguard-of-public-health/
Authors:
John Philip Orate, Lorenz
Carlo Aliwalas, Christine Jamie Melchor, Conrado Alfonso Favis, Eleennae Love
Ayson, Patricia Manahan, Jasper Cruz, Darell Calayag, Carl Anthony Abrenica
Abstract
Medical
services and breakthroughs are unending as long as diseases remain prevalent. Dr.
Juan Salcedo, Jr., a distinguished scientist in public health and nutrition, initiated
the combat against beriberi through his "enriched rice experiment",
malaria and tuberculosis through a nationwide Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG)
vaccination. This project highlights Dr. Salcedo's accomplishments and
contributions to Philippine medicine as well as recognitions and awards he
garnered.
Tags:
Dr.
Juan Salcedo, Jr., beriberi, malaria, tuberculosis, food and nutrition, health,
military corps, secretary of DOH, World Health Assembly, professor of UP Med
Introduction
“For he who has health has hope; and he who has hope, has
everything.” – Owen Arthur
Truly
this quote was enlivened by Juan Salcedo, Jr. He dedicated his life pursuing
over the development of medical services and through his amass search of
knowledge in his field of study. He had surpassed much training here in the
Philippines and abroad to acquire the right skills to help in community
awareness in different kinds of aspect like public health, food problems,
population. “Using science, he became a recognized authority in nutrition and
many more. (Andaya, 2000, p.109) “
He
also contributed to many articles and some books which help inform others about
the diversity in many field like diseases, abnormalities and the likes. “For
his many achievements, he was conferred with the rank and title of National
Scientist by President Ferdinand E. Marcos in July 1978 for his being an
authority in Nutrition and Public Health and Medical statesman, who conducted
medical research for the improvement of the health and nutrition of the people
and who spent much of his lifetime studying health factors ranging from fatty
acids to vitamins. (Andaya, 2000, p. 109)” The Filipinos are very proud of what
he had achieved and for the contributions he had done to our nation, He is
truly one of the most brilliant minds and a one of the many outstanding
Filipino Scientist.
I.
Life of Dr. Juan Salcedo, Jr.
Dr. Juan S. Salcedo was a scientist with a firm conviction
that “Science will pave the way to man’s salvation in the face of expansive
tendencies on many fronts – disease, food problems, population, illiteracy,
poverty… (Andaya, 2000)”
Dr. Juan Salcedo Jr. is a distinguished scientist in
Philippine public health and the chairman of the National Science Development
Board. “Salcedo was the authority in nutrition and public health, contributing
to areas of biochemistry, nutrition and physiology, using science to alleviate
disease and food problems of the country (Andaya, 2000).” He was born to Juan
Salcedo Sr. and Felipa Sanchez on September 29, 1904 in Pasay City.
At his early age, Juan Salcedo had already developed a sense
of patriotism and love for his country. In elementary school, he read and
reread Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. He also excelled
academically as he graduated salutatorian at the Paco Intermediate School and
garnered second honor at the Manila South High School.
Dr. Salcedo initially took up engineering, but the sight of
poor and sickly children scattered in the streets drew his compassion. Back then,
disease was a major concern of the country, lacking health facilities and
services. Because of this, Juan shifted to medicine. In 1929, he finished his
Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of the Philippines (UP) College
of Medicine as a second honor in a class of 28.
Dr. Salcedo specialized in many things. He joined the
faculty of UP College of Medicine as an instructor in Physiology and an
assistant professor in Biochemistry. He even joined the army as captain of the
Medical Corps for three years. In 1943, he also obtained a Masteral degree in
biochemistry and endocrinology from Columbia University. In 1946, he obtained
the title Doctorate in Science with high honors from the Philippine Women’s
University. And in 1970, he finished studying the Laws in the University of the
Philippines. (Ghasenpour, 1998)
Salcedo, born to a wealthy family was “a
well-studied, much appointed and in demand man during his time. He was a
scientist who took pleasure in learning and sharing his knowledge and expertise
with his country. (Ghasempour, 1998)”
On December 19, 1931, he married the former Elvira Galvez, a
pharmacist, and they had six children: Joselito, Maria, Dolores, Rosa Lina,
Alberto, and Elvira. Immediate relatives pictured Dr. Salcedo as a very
thoughtful, caring and highly concerned parent whose belief in family values
was as profound as his faith in God (Andaya, 2000).
To many of his colleagues, he was not only a scientist, but
also an executive, administrator, educator and humanitarian. As he held many
vital government posts, he remained low-key, apolitical and uncontroversial
(Andaya, 2000).
Because he was highly successful in all his work, he is
believed to have influenced many scientists and technicians, particularly those
involved in the governments thrust toward economic emancipation, in developing
interest and pursuing studies in science and technology, thus enlarging the
core of the nation’s scientific manpower (Andaya, 2000).
In July 10 1978, he was conferred
the rank and title National Scientist by President Ferdinand E. Marcos in
recognition for his being an authority in nutrition and public health and for
conducting medical research for the improvement of the health and nutrition of
the Filipinos (Andaya, 2000).
He died on October 25, 1988 at the
age of 84 and was given a state funeral. He was buried at the Libingan ng mga
Bayani.
II.
Academic and Professional Career
Aside from receiving numerous awards and recognitions,
Juan Salcedo, Jr. held high positions in the academe, military, government and
other non-government organizations. In 1946, he became the first president of
the UP Medical Alumni Society (UPMAS) [class ’29]. He also became the president
of Araneta University Foundation from 1970-1981. He also had experience being
Dean of the graduate school and Dean of UE College of Medicinein 1958. During
1954-1958, he was a professor of the Department of Physiological Hygiene and
head of the Department of Biochemistry - UP Med. He also became an instructor
in Physiology, an Assistant Professor in Biochemistry and a Professional
Lecturer in both Physiology and Biochemistry for the UP College of Medicine. In
the Military field, he became Army captain in the medical corps from 1936-1939
and he later became colonel.
He served the country as Health and Welfare Officer,
later Director of Public Welfare, during the Osmena administration. Also, as
the Executive Director of the Philippine Relief and Rehabilitation
Administration for one year, 1945-1946, and Representative to the United
Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration from 1945-1947. He became the
Secretary of Health during the Quirino administration. In addition, from
1954-1958 he was President Ramon Magsaysay’s chairperson of the Institute of
Science and Technology Advisory Board. In 1957, during Carlos Garcia’s tern he
was the Presidential assistant on science and technology. In addition, in
1963-1970, during Diosdado Macapagal’s presidency, he was Chairman of National
Science Development Board.
“In 1952, he became one of the original board of
trustees and incorporator of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (Philippine
Rural Reconstruction Movement 50th Anniversary Program).” Aside from local duties, he was the First Asian
elected unimpeded to head the World Health Organization Assembly from
1952-1953. Moreover, he was a Member of the first Board of Advisers of the
University of Hawaii East-West Center.
III. Contributions
Countermeasures against
Beriberi
“Beriberi is a disease brought by the deficiency of
thiamine or vitamin B1 (“Beri-Beri”)”. It was widely spread among
the regions whose staple food was polished rice. “This type of rice has undergone de-husking
in order to prolong its life which unintentionally resulted to the removal of
thiamine (Kennedy, 2013).”
During the years 1882-1883, there was an outbreak of
beriberi in the Philippines. No one was
able to pinpoint the main cause of the beriberi symptoms. “Around the early
1900s, a chemist named Dr. Robert R. Williams entered the US Bureau of Science
and researched the theory that beriberi was caused by a nutritional deficiency
(“Beri-Beri”).” He first isolated
thiamine in 1933 and synthesized Vitamin B1, the first vitamin in its pure form
ever isolated, in 1936.
“In 1943, Dr. Williams met Dr. Juan S. Salcedo, Jr.,
who’s concerned with the elimination of beriberi in the Philippines. Dr. Salcedo was the Secretary of Department
of Health (DOH) from 1950 to 1953, and this was the time when he implemented
the “enriched rice experiment” which fortified the rice with Vitamin B (Andaya,
2000).” This enriched rice became the
staple food of those affected by beriberi in the Philippines, thus, eliminating
the problem.
Malaria and tuberculosis
Malaria is causes chills and fever. “This is caused by the Plasmodium parasite
which is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitos (Sarkar PK., et. Al., 2009).” On the other hand, “tuberculosis is a chronic
and contagious disease of the lungs caused by various strains of mycobacteria
(Kumar V, et. Al., 2007).” Since both of
these diseases are known as killers and are both easily transmitted, Dr.
Salcedo launched relentless campaigns against them. “He mounted a nationwide Bacillus
Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination among children and systematized teams
that would eradicate mosquitos especially in places where Malaria incidents are
high (Andaya, 2000).” Together with
this, he provided preventive measures to the people and established rural
health center network that would bring services not only to urban areas but
also to remote and rural areas in the Philippines.
Nutrition
A lot of his works are focused on nutrition. From
recommended daily for specific nutrients, progress of nutrition in the
Philippines, to vitamin intakes and deficiencies such as Vitamin A and B1, Dr.
Salcedo has written about it. He seemed to be focused on the nutrition intakes
of the citizens as seen from the list of his works, and this works of him have
helped him to find a solution for the Beriberi outbreak in the Philippines.
IV. Recognition and Awards
Received
1957 President
of the Philippines Awards for outstanding public health nutritionist in the
past decade
1957 U.P Alumni
Assoc. Award for outstanding alumnus of the College of Medicine
1955 President
of the Philippines Awards for outstanding achievement in basic medical science
1954-1955 Rockefeller Foundation travel grant to observe
biochemistry and nutrition in Europe and U.S.
1954 Silver
Humanitarian Service Cross, Phil. National Red Cross
1953 Citation
awards. Phil. Tuberculosis Society
1952 Colegio
Medico-Farmacutico de Filipinas Distinguished Awards
1952 First
Fellowship (with citation and key), Phil. Public Health Assoc.
1952 Manila
Medical Society 50th Anniversary Outstanding award in nutrition
1951-1952 Pasay City Lions Club Distinguished Service
1951 Most
outstanding professional in medicine for 1951, Philippine Board of Examiners
1951 University
of the Philippines College of Medicine Most Distinguished Alumnus
1943-1944 Columbia University William J. Gles Fellow
(Biochemistry)
1941-1944 University of the Philippines, Fellow
1978 National
Scientist of the Philippines
1966 The
Republic Cultural Heritage Awards
1965 Certificate
of Appreciation, U.P. Medical Alumni
Society, Inc.
1965 Merit
Award, Philippine Association for Graduate Education
1964 Science
Fellow, The New York Academy
1964 The
Philippine Women’s University Award
1962 Award of
Appreciataion, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
1962 Special
Award, Manila High School and South Araulio Alumni Association
1960 Award of
Appreciataion, Filipino Inventors Society, Inc.
1960 Diploma of
Honor as President for the year 1952-1953, The Philippine Medical Association
1957 Certificate
of Distinction for Exemplary Leadership in Nutritional research and Promotion
1955-1956 Chosen by secret referendum as the most efficient faculty member of the UP Institute of
Hygiene graduating classes
1956-1957 Chosen by secret referendum as the most efficient faculty member of the UP Institute of
Hygiene graduating classes
1952 First Asian
to head World Health Assembly
1969 Presidential
Pro Patria award
*The list of Recognition and Awards received are cited from (Sanchez, 1964, 521-524).
References:
Andaya,
Darhl S., et al. National Scientist of
the Philippines (1978-1998). Department of Science and Technology, National
Academy of Science and Technology. Pasig City, Philippines: Anvil Publishing.
2000.
Ghasempour, Lena Fleur L. A Scientist, A Doctor, A Servant, A Common Tao. Accessed May 22, 2014.
http://agham.asti.dost.gov.ph/1998/1st/inteli/apple2.htm.
Sanchez, Concordia Z., et. al. Philippine Men of Science: A Biographical Handbook of One Hundred Two
Living Men and Women in the Field of Science and Technology. Manila:
Division of Documentation, National Institute of Science and Technology. 1964.
Chemical Heritage Foundation. “Beri-Beri.” Robert R.
Williams. Accessed May 24, 2014.
http://www.chemheritage.org/discover/online-resources/chemistry-in-history/themes/public-and-environmental-health/food-chemistry-and-nutrition/williams.aspx
Kumar
V, Abbas AK, Fausto N, Mitchell RN. Robbins Basic Pathology. 8th
edition. Saunders Elsevier. 2007.
Sarkar
PK, Ahluwalia G, Vijayan VK, Talwar A. "Critical care aspects of malaria".
Journal of Intensive Care Medicine 25. 2009.
