ILOILO CITY – Health and nutrition efforts are gaining momentum across Western Visayas, as the Department of Health (DOH) and the Iloilo City Government rolled out key programs to prevent life-threatening illnesses and improve the well-being of women and children.
The DOH Western Visayas Center for Health Development (CHD) is urging the public to take advantage of free vaccines and preventive health services now available in all rural health units (RHUs) in the region.
At a press conference held on May 16, 2025, Dr. Aimee Marie Gayomali, head of DOH Western Visayas CHD’s non-communicable diseases cluster, highlighted two major health threats—cervical cancer and hypertension—and the government’s efforts to curb their impact.
According to Gayomali, free human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are available in public health centers for girls aged 9 to 14. The vaccine, which helps prevent cervical cancer, is most effective when given before age 15.
“Vaccination at an early age can save lives later on,” she said, although she admitted that supply remains limited due to budget constraints, prompting many families to turn to private clinics, where vaccines cost between ₱2,000 and ₱4,000.
At the same time, DOH is ramping up its campaign against hypertension—one of the region’s top causes of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Nearly 275,000 hypertensive cases were recorded in Western Visayas in 2024, with over 35,000 new cases in the first quarter of 2025 alone.
To respond to this silent epidemic, RHUs now offer free blood pressure checks, medical consultations, and maintenance medicines under the DOH’s Hypertension and Diabetes Program.
Adults aged 40 and above, and those with a family history of hypertension, are especially urged to undergo regular screenings. “Our barangay health workers are actively assisting in community-level monitoring,” Gayomali said.
She added that lifestyle adjustments—such as reducing salt and processed foods, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, managing stress, and staying physically active—are key to preventing and managing hypertension.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo City Government launched the ₱54-million Uswag Nutrition Center to support nutrition programs targeting children and nutritionally at-risk pregnant women.
The facility—located along General Luna Street in the City Proper—houses the city’s nutrition office, a food production area, and a function hall. The center will produce rice-mongo-sesame blend and enhanced nutribun using Department of Science and Technology (DOST) technology.