With a firm commitment to building a resilient and responsive healthcare system capable of meeting the evolving needs of the province, the members of the Provincial Health Board gathered earlier today, July 19, 2023, to discuss and formulate strategies aimed at enhancing public health in the province.
In his new role as governor and board chairperson, Governor Niño Sotero L. Uy, Jr. presided over the meeting and led the discussions on urgent healthcare strategies and initiatives. The Governor highlighted the significance of tackling the pressing health issues in the province through comprehensive and proactive actions. He emphasized that collaboration and innovation are crucial factors in effectively addressing these challenges.
During the meeting, Governor Uy led the discussion on important issues related to public health. One of the main topics discussed was the current state of the province’s Public Health Programs.
𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗡
Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Reden V. Bersaldo laid emphasis on the province’s Granular Nutrition Mission, which aims to prevent wasting and stunting among children. He said that within the year, the program is set to target 250 nutritionally-at-risk children, including underweight pregnant mothers in the community, noting that the management of most forms of malnutrition can be done in the community setting by improving household food security, providing micronutrients, and other interventions.
Dr. Bersaldo commended the municipality of San Isidro for its outstanding nutrition program, resulting in the lowest prevalence rates of stunted, wasted, underweight, and overweight children.
He encouraged all local government units (LGUs) to step up their efforts in reducing malnutrition rates in the province by enhancing their nutrition programs. He suggested that mayors create a nutrition team, expand the local nutrition office by hiring Registered Nutritionist Dietitians and Barangay Nutrition Scholars, and allocate budget towards these initiatives.
In addition to the nutrition program, other programs were mentioned such as those addressing communicable diseases, safe motherhood, adolescent health, family planning, safe water supply, schistosomiasis, rabies, tuberculosis, and HIV.
During the meeting, the board tackled the important topic of healthcare accessibility. They provided updates on the progress of the Universal Health Care integration, which aims to provide healthcare services and financial protection from high medical expenses to everyone.
Moreover, the board also approved the passage of resolutions such as the adoption of TB Provincial Coordinating Committee, Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Health (DRRM-H) Institutionalization in the Province-Wide Health System of Davao Oriental, and the Philippine Approach to Sustainable Sanitation, which aims to achieve zero open defecation in the province.
The provincial government is sustaining its partnership with the Brokenshire Medical Center in offering free surgeries to women with Ob-Gyne conditions. Governor Uy signed the Memorandum of Agreement with the executives of the medical facility led by Dr. Geraldine Dela Victoria, the Department Chair of Brokenshire’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Department.
The free surgery for women was a brainchild of the late Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon and will be sustained by Governor Uy.
Governor Uy expressed confidence in the collective efforts of the provincial health board and partner agencies as he urged continued collaboration. The Governor emphasized the significance of implementing the proposed strategies to pave the way for a more robust and inclusive healthcare system, setting the stage for a healthier future for all Oriental Dabawenyos. By Karen Lou Deloso | Photos by Mark Oliver Alvite
