Students of Gueguesangen Integrated School (GIS) in Mangaldan, Pangasinan were given lectures on HIV/AIDS awareness and other important health topics during the Healthy Region 1 Caravan held on October 18, 2024.
THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region conducted more disease prevention and health awareness campaigns for 400 students at Gueguesangen Integrated School (GIS) in Mangaldan, Pangasinan through its “Healthy Region 1 Caravan”, spearheaded by the Communicable Disease Prevention Unit in collaboration with the Department of Education – Region 1, Pangasinan Provincial Health Office and the local Government of Mangaldan.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco said that disease prevention and health awareness campaigns are important for students because they can help increase awareness of health issues and encourage preventive action.
“By providing the right information and giving them proper guidance, we can help our students develop their knowledge and skills to make healthy decisions and maintain healthy behaviors. And this can prevent the development of many health conditions, including heart disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes, including cancer.”
Residents of Brgy Gueguesangen were also given free medical services such as Philippine Package of Essential Non-Communicable Diseases Intervention (PhilPEN) risk assessment, laboratory tests (urinalysis and blood chemistry), x-ray, dental services and medical consultation during the one-day activity held on October 18, 2024.
Seniors were also vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccines and free human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations were administered to female students aged 9 to 14 and sacks of fortified rice were distributed to 50 malnourished students.
According to Regional Communicable Disease Prevention Unit Head Rhueul C. Bobbis the caravan highlighted a symposia on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE), HIV awareness, the dangers of vaping, and mental health.
“Through the Healthy Region 1 Caravan, we will continue to promote health literacy not only to students but across all age groups and we will be visiting other schools to help students understand risks to their health for them to recognize symptoms of various diseases and take preventative measures for their health and safety,” Bobbis assured.
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