Health is important for all of us, and it is necessary to have ourselves do check-ups in hospitals or clinics but some of us cannot do this especially for the people who live in mountain areas and far from health centers or hospitals. As the Covid19 surges in some areas in the Philippines, the government has been exerting efforts to help and give assistance to Filipinos that are affected by the virus. Government agencies have offered financial assistance and plantations to help the Filipinos’ to recover from the lockdown and community quarantines that were made.
Within Palawan, several Municipalities including Puerto Princesa (an independent city) have been put on lockdown or Enchanted Community Quarantine and the residents must be monitored and have them checked.
The Medical Mission was offered by the Municipal Health Office (MHO) with the help of the Local Government Unit (LGU) and health center staff in Barangay Casian and Debangan. The Medical Mission was Spearheaded by Assistant MHO, Dr. Genevieve D. Ragay, and Program Coordinators Ma.Theresa O. Mendoza, Arlene C. Gratil, Karen Pe, Charlie Faustino, Ma. Estefania Tejano.
On the first day of the Medical Mission (May 5), a consultation and PPD (Purified Protein Derivative) was attended by Arlene C. Gratil at Dra. Genevieve in children ages 0-4 years old. The PPD test is a skin test that can detect tuberculosis (TB). PPD tests were tested on the 40 children and 20 children were given free consultation. In the afternoon, there was a lecture on Family Planning. There was also implantation and removal of the contraceptive implant, there was 58 person that availed in the service.
On the next day, the Buntis Progress Program was held with a theme “Management of Pregnancy in Pandemic”. There was a free laboratory test for pregnant women, consultation, vitamins, and medicines for those who have pregnancy complications. They are also given advice and guidance for their pregnancy journey within the pandemic that was handled by the Program Coordinator of the Maternal and Child Health Program from the MHO, Thess Mendoza. The HIV-AIDS Symposium, ARH, Covid-19 updates, and Health Protocols were discussed in residents and 4P’s members.
A re-orientation of Hypertension and Diabeteswas made by Karen Pe in Debangan and Sinovac Orientation as well as vaccination in Bgy. Debangan. The importance of the vaccine was shared especially for older persons. On the other hand, there were elderly that decided to have them vaccinated.
On the last day, The PPD ( Purified Protein Derivative) test reading and the positive children were given medicines.
The Local Government Unit thanked the Municipal Health Officer Dr. Dan A. Del Rosario, the Barangay Captain Norbert V. Lim, Barangay Captain Rolando Hermoso, as well as the barangay officials of Cian at Debangan, the CVHWs of Casian and Debangan, and for the residents that cooperated and availed the services in the medical mission.
Casian Barangay Health Center
