Residents of San Vicente in San Fernando City, La Union and nearby barangays took part of the free health screening and assessment conducted by DOH-Ilocos together with ITRMC and La Union PHO last Saturday, February 24, 2024
IN celebration of the Philippine Heart Month, the Department of Health – Ilocos Region together with the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) and the La Union Provincial Health Office conducted health risk assessment, medical consultation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training in Barangay San Vicente, San Fernando City, La Union during the weekend.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco said that the activity is meant to bring health services directly to residents in the community.
In a video message, Sydiongco emphasized the importance of heart-healthy living which involves understanding health risk, making healthy choices, and taking steps to reduce your chances of getting heart disease. “Kailangan nating pangalagaan ang ating puso upang hindci tayo magdevelop ng heart disease na pwedeng maging sanhi ng heart attack.”
“The heart is the center of our overall health and it is responsible for pumping nutrient-rich blood throughout the body, it supplies oxygen while removing toxins and waste.”
“We have to prevent the growing number of people with NCDs and encourage everyone to practice healthy lifestyle by reducing common risk factors such as tobacco use, harmful alcohol use, physical inactivity and eating unhealthy diets.”
Included in the health risk assessment activity are urinalysis, blood testing, FBS/RBS, uric acid and total cholesterol testing. Medical consultations including the provision of maintenance medicines, smoking cessation, nutrition and diet counselling were also conducted.
Residents were also given lectures on cardiovascular diseases and nutrition and health.
Barangay officials and Sangguniang Kabataan members participated in the mass cardiopulmonary resuscitation training to provide locals basic knowledge and to increase public awareness of the identification of sudden cardiac arrest during an emergency.
Assistant Regional Director Rodolfo M. Albornoz said that the community health risk assessment provides the essential information on the current health status, needs, and issues of community. “This can help us develop a health improvement plan on how and where health resources should be allocated to best meet the needs of the community.”
“And this is one of the present thrust of our government, to bring health care closer to our people. Upang hindi na sila mahirapan pang magpunta sa mga pampublikong ospital. Ang mga serbisyo na ang ilalapit sa kanila upang masiguro na lahat ay mabibigyan ng pagkakataong makapagpasuri at masiguro ang kanilang kalusugan,” he emphasized.
Some of the residents who were diagnosed with serious health concerns were given referral to DOH hospitals.
More than 300 residents participated in the activity held on February 24, 2024.
Aside from the health services, three teams consisted of barangay health workers and residents of the barangay joined the “Heart Healthy Merienda Cooking Competition” which showcased healthy recipes which are low in calories and fat.
Winners were given P6,000 for the first prize, P5,000 for the second prize and P4,000 for the third prize.
About the Author
