SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – Beneficiaries from far-flung barangays of Sta. Monica, Casilagan, and Cabalayangan of Bauang town received medical and dental services jointly initiated by the Provincial Health Office of La Union, the Department of Health- Ilocos Center for Health Development and PHAPCares Foundation, Inc. on August 2. 
 
Laboratory tests including checking of blood sugar, cholesterol level, urinalysis and hematocrit were provided to around 750 individuals as well as the provision of medications for hypertension, diabetes, and other common diseases, and circumcision service for young boys. 

The activity is part of a three-year health project of the aforementioned parties to improve the disadvantaged residents of Bauang town’s access to medicines and other health services, especially in times of disasters, health outbreaks, and conflicts. 
 
Dr. Eduardo Posadas, provincial health officer, said that the medical mission is part of the office’s goal of saturating the 54 Geographically-Isolated and Displaced Area (GIDA) barangays as well as the 90 coastal barangays of La Union which suffered the brunt of Super Typhoon Egay, affecting 1,018 families or 4,170 individuals in Bauang alone. 
 
“We are now starting to target the GIDA and coastal barangays of La Union where we observe challenging health conditions of residents there and we hope to finish this by the first quarter of 2024,” Dr. Posadas said. 

Lotin Ramin, president of the PHAPCares Foundation, Inc. said that their aim for partnering with local governments such as La Union is to establish model communities that reflect the goals of the Universal Health Care. 
 
“With our programs, we hope to ensure [that] people can stay healthy and productive because health services are available to them in their time of need,” Ramin said. 
 
Milagros Aberin, 64, one of the beneficiaries who availed of the blood sugar and cholesterol level tests, meanwhile expressed her gratitude for the assistance provided, noting how it helps residents from far-flung barangays get medical assistance for their needs. 
 
“Maraming salamat sa tulong na naibigay ninyo sa amin ngayong araw. Kami po ay masuwerte na may pumuntang medical mission sa aming lugar,” Aberin said.
 
The said medical and dental service shall also be conducted in the town of San Juan at a date to be announced by the Provincial Health Office soon. (JCR/AMB/CCMT, PIA La Union)