DOH – Ilocos Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco visits the various medical services conducted including the medical equipment and checks that were turned-over to the provincial government of Ilocos Norte during the 2-day national launching of the “Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF)”, held over the weekend at the Mariano Marcos State University in Laoag City.
Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region has provided health and medical care to 3,326 beneficiaries during the 2-day national launching of the “Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF)”, consideredas the country’s largest public service caravan held at the Mariano Marcos State University in Laoag City over the weekend and simultaneously launched in Nabua, Camarines Sur; Tolosa, Leyte; and Poblacion Monkayo in Davao de Oro.
The regional office together with its five hospitals, namely Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC), Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC), Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC), Ilocos Sur Medical Center (ISMC) and Conrado Estrella Regional and Trauma Center (CERTMC), provided a variety of essential provisions such as consultation services (including family and community medicine, pediatrics, OB-Gyne, surgery, ENT (ear, nose, throat), ophthalmology and dental); diagnostic services (such as mobile x-ray, ECG, OB ultrasound, hearing testing and vision screening with provision of prescription lenses); laboratory services (from complete blood count (CBC), fasting blood sugar/RBS, HbA1c, serum creatinine. serum electrolytes, blood uric acid, lipid profile, urinalysis, syphilis screening, torch screening and smear); vaccination (for influenza, HPV, Covid-19 Pedia were administered to children and senior citizens).
Meanwhile, 648 pregnant mothers received 5 kgs of iron-fortified rice each to help strengthen their immune system.
Other logistics distributed were 458 herbmap kits, 110 wheelchairs, 23 Barangay Health Station packages plus an oral health family package and an adult oral health kit were also handed out to beneficiaries.
A total of 33 applicants applied for the DOH Scholarship which offers courses in Pharmacy & Medical Technology.
The benefit to individuals is obvious, if not always immediate. But the benefits extend to the framework of the community itself, and to schools, businesses and gathering places. Money is saved, absenteeism is reduced, mental health improves and the spread of disease declines.
“Bringing essential health care to people in communities helps them gain access to needed health resources and addresses the various needs of the population, especially those living in remote areas and its benefit extends to the community itself, to schools, businesses, and public places. Also, money from transportation services is saved, absenteeism from work is reduced, mental health improves and the spread of disease declines,” Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco stated.
“Nagpapasalamt kami sa mga dumalo at tumangkilik ng serbisyong pangkalusugan at makakaasa po ang mga residente ng Ilocos region na patuloy po naming dadalhin ang mga serbisyo ito sa inyong mga lugar upang lahat ay mapaglingkuran at maibigay ang kanilang mga kinakailangan para sa kanilang kalusugan.”
Sydiongco also awarded a check amounting to P2,236,710 to the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte for the implementation of the 2023 Healthy Settings Program (Health Communities: Bakuna Champion Playbook).
Assistant Secretary Atty. Charade Mercado-Grande who joined the activity in Laoag City encouraged residents to take good care of their health and well-being by regularly visiting a physician.
“Libre po ang mga consultation sa ating mga RHUs at mga pampublikong hospital. May nararamdaman man po kayo or wala, lalo na ang ating mga seniors at sa mga may maintenance medicine upang masiguro ang inyong kalusugan. Huwag napo nating antayin na magkaroon tayo ng malubhang karamdaman. Ang importante po ay ating maiwasan ito at mapanatili ang malusor na pangangatawan,” she emphasized.
