BALANGA CITY (PIA) -- Department of Health (DOH) lauded the province of Bataan for being a champion of health programs.
 
In her message during the province’s Health Summit 2023, DOH OIC-Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Bataeños have a high health literacy because of their awareness and point of view towards right healthy behaviors.
 
She also commended the Seal of Healthy Barangay Program that is worth emulating in other areas.
 
It is an incentive-based health program that recognizes barangays who will be able to achieve zero percent cases on dengue, animal bite, as well as maternal and infant death, elimination of non-communicable diseases and formation of a hypertension and diabetes club.

Apart from this, Vergeire encouraged Bataan to continue closely monitoring tracer indicators on tuberculosis, immunization, and malnutrition; and champion initiatives towards systems strengthening that includes development of primary care facilities and specialty centers; and licensing and accreditation of primary care facilities.
 
For his part, Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III mentioned the province’s programs and best practices in promoting a healthy lifestyle particularly the youth.
 
He also shared Bataan’s strategies in the implementation of Universal Health Care Law which was piloted in three barangays in 2019 and will be implemented in all towns and city in May 2024. (CLJD/CASB-PIA 3)