Medical supplies namely, Nutribox, Herbal Medicine Access Program or HerbMAP, “buntis” kits, oral health packages, wheelchairs, crutches, canes, and barangay health station kits were provided to the identified recipients.
The DOH also conducted an advocacy campaign on scholarship grants for students who wish to pursue pharmacy and midwifery college courses.
Salcedo town is one of the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) in the province with some 90% of its total population being members of the Indigenous Peoples (IP).
DOH Ilocos regional director Paula Paz Sydiongco said some members of the IP have poor health-seeking behavior due to the inaccessibility of primary healthcare services most especially to individuals who are in GIDAs.
“Our Rural Health Unit in this municipality is not situated within easy reach, thus, the DOH and National Commission for Indigenous Peoples collaborated to bring these services to them. We need to help and assist them to address their health problems. This will make them aware that there are health services that are being provided by our local government units,” she said.
The DOH also thanked its health partners who took part in the provision of health and medical services.
They were the llocos Training and Regional Medical Center, Southern llocos Sur Medical Society, Ilocos Sur Medical Center, Philippine Dental Association (llocos Sur Chapter), National Nutrition Council Region 1, Provincial Health Office (PHO), Drugstore Association of the Philippines (llocos Sur and Abra Chapters), Philippine Red Cross (Ilocos Sur Chapter) and Philippine Business for Social Progress.
