HEALTH services were brought to the municipalities of Cuyo, Agutaya and Magsaysay in Palawan, including nearby island barangays, considered as "critical areas" due to their remote location, said Department of Health –Mimaropa (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) regional director Eduardo C. Janairo.
Janairo said they visited the three far-flung areas to monitor ongoing DoH projects and monitor existing health facilities requiring renovation and improvement.
“Health services in these areas are critical because of their remote location that is why medical services, medicines and health facilities must be equipped and improved to handle health care,” he said.
He said residents must be able to conveniently and confidently access services such as primary care, dental care, emergency care and other public health services.
According to the 2010 National Census on Population, the municipality of Cuyo has a total population of 21,847, Magsaysay with 10,885 and Agutaya with 10,422.
During his visit in Agutaya, Janairo assured the residents that he will provide one emergency vehicle that can be used in transporting patients from the barangay to the nearest health facility.
A Community Volunteer Health Worker's Local Health Conference was held in the three municipalities wherein the regional office provided 400 barangay health workers Kits, 35 Buntis Kits and 70 School-based Immunization Kits, including one Ultraviolet Misting Machine to be used in eliminating dengue-mosquitoes in the island.
A total of 130 senior citizens were vaccinated with flu vaccine in Agutaya.
Janairo turned over six mountain bikes, which were evenly distributed to the three municipalities to be used by BHWs in their delivery of basic health services in the community especially those in far flung areas. “These can provide faster and more efficient means of transportation and are also useful as a commuter vehicle”.
The bikes are equipped with baskets where a BHW can place his/her possessions. Aside from the kits, first aid medicines and a vest for easy identification of the BHW.
The DOH official said they will continue their series of BHW Local Conference to upgrade the skills and competencies of both old and new health workers in the region to gain more knowledge on primary health care including duties and responsibilities in the community as primary service providers, maternal and child health, disease prevention and control, intensive family planning, Philhealth information dissemination, oral health and basic education on first aid during emergencies."