The Department of Health (DOH) led by OIC-Secretary of Health Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire and Ilocos Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco launched the Primary Health Care (PHC) Day in the pilgrimage town of Manaoag, Pangasinan.
The PHC is a flagship program of the department to achieve the objectives of the Universal health Care Law.
Secretary Vergeire stated that the objective of the program is to increase accessibility of health-care services at the local level, eliminate financial risk for indigent patients in public health facilities, promote access to medicines, address social determinants of health and provide essential support to health-care workers.
“We will be shifting the country’s health system from sick care to preventive health care. Our goal is to keep people well through preventive, promotive, and integrated primary health-care service delivery system that will detect and manage diseases early and addresses it immediately.”
“Mas malusog na komunidad, mas malayo sa sakit. People centered-preventive care is the right thing to do and it will also reduce health care costs and save our health system millions which can be used in the improvement of health service services, especially at the local level,” Vergeire emphasized.
The primary health care program aims to provide vulnerable population access to care and free services in public hospitals.
The regional office, together with its DOH retained hospitals, Philhealth, Pangasinan Provincial Health Office and Manaoiag local government conducted medical consultations, family planning, health education and counseling, screening and diagnosis of communicable and non-communicable diseases, cervical cancer screening, immunization and nutrition checkups for senior citizens, adults and children including the provision of free medicines and vitamins.
Philhealth falicilatated the registration of patients who are yest to be enrolled.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco emphasized the importance of primary health care in the community as it is an individual’s most regular and trusted point of contact in the health system. “it is the foundation of health and wellbeing at every stage in life, capable of delivering quality essential and routine health care services and meeting the majority of people’s health needs.”
“Dito sa region 1, sa pakikipahtulungan ng ating mga LGU, magtatayo po kami ng maraming primary health care facilities upang mapalakas ang pagbibigay ng paunang serbisyo at maitaguyod ang kahalagahan ng pamumuhunan sa kalusugan upang mapangalagaan ang kalusugan ating mga kababayan.”
“Napakaimportante po na ang bawat isa ay mabuhay ng malusog at walang inaalalang sakit sa katawan,” Sydiongco stated.
A Konsultayo Arangkada Van outfitted with diagnostic equipment was turned-over by the Philippine Business for Social Progress to the regional office that will visit and deliver primary care service to remote areas in the various municipalities in Ilocos region.
The PHC services in Manaoag will be conducted from November 18-29, 2022
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