THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region through its Disease Prevention and Control Section, conducted the “Healthy Region 1 Caravan”, a health information and medical services drive aimed at raising awareness through advocacy and preventive services.
Dr. Rheuel C. Bobis, Regional Infectious Disease Cluster Head said that the caravan has focused on educating school leaners on factors of different diseases. “We have provided a series of lectures and activities that encourage healthy behaviors for our students to make healthy choices and lessen the spread of potential diseases in the community.”
To promote the enhancement of overall well-being an individual, the DOH has been promoting the practice of the 7 healthy habits such as 1) Move More, Eat Right; 2) Be Clean, Live Sustainably; 3) Get Vaccinated, 4) Don’t Smoke, Avoid Alcohol, Say No to Drugs; 5) Care for Yourself, Care for Others; 6) Practice Safe Sex; 7) Do No Harm, Put Safety First.
“By providing proper education and encouraging self-care activities, we can improve an individual’s physical, social and mental health,” Bobis emphasized.
Among the topics presented were reproductive health, nutrition, SOGIE, oral health, smoking, HIV and mental health.
Last year, the World Health Organization disclosed that a 41 million people died due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and 4 million deaths were caused by different infectious diseases.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco stated that disease control and prevention are essential for maintaining a safe and healthy environment. “It is for this reason that we have to provide and bring the necessary health care services and commodities needed in the community and give significant information to the public to improved their health seeking behavior.”
“We have targeted schools in Ilocos Sur to participate in the activities with the objective of making them champions of health by integrating various health practices in their activities that promote physical, mental, and social well-being,” she explained.
A total of 200 students joined the caravan. Among the participating schools were Ambalayat Integrated School Libtong Integrated School, Garitan Integrated School, Tagudin Integrated School, Pudoc West Integrated School, Tagudin National High School and Saint Agustine School.
Health services like HPV vaccination for female learners age 9 yers old and above were administered and oral prophylaxis and tooth extraction wee also provided during the activity.
The highlight of the event was a contest entitled “Flex Your OOTD” where students get to promote recycling and environmental healthcare by designing their own outfit of the day made up of various recycled materials. Cash prizes of amounting to P5,000 for the first prize, P4,000 for the second prize, P3,000 for third prize and P1,500 was given to consolation prize winners.
The “Healthy Region 1 Caravan”, was conducted Tagudin, Iocos Sur last month in partnership with the Department of Education – Ilocos Region, Ilocos Sur Provincial Health Office and various rural health units including members of the health human resource.
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