Around 3,325 residents in ten far-flung barangays in the municipality of Tarragona have benefited from the provincial government’s Oplan Panglawas, a priority program of Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon on public health that provides residents free access to medical services in hinterland communities.
The two-day activity held on May 1-2 provided much-needed services such as medical consultation, dispensing free medicines, vitamins and antibiotics, and other medical interventions.
Medical teams also conducted profiling of individuals with illnesses such as goiter, cleft palate, hernia, myoma, cataract, and other illnesses which require further operation and assistance in bigger hospitals. These patients are set to be scheduled for operation and will be assisted by the provincial government of Davao Oriental for free. After the initial profiling, 135 patients are set to be scheduled for surgery.
During the conduct of the program, Governor Malanyaon encouraged everyone to avail of the free services, recognizing how important health is in the overall development of society.
“We are in a very tight situation these days. People struggle in seeking healthcare, especially if they are too far from the hospital. They endure so many expenses, including expensive fare. At the very least, we can ease the people’s hardships by delivering healthcare services directly.”
The Oplan Panglawas was made successful through the collaboration of participating agencies and stakeholders, including the huge contribution of the volunteer doctors in partnership with the Provincial Health Office (PHO), Municipal Health Office (MHO), and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), among others.
The Municipality of Tarragona’s ten barangays that availed the medical mission were Barangays Dadong, Tubaon, Maganda, Central, and Jovellar in the first day, while Barangays Limot, Ompao, Tomoaong, Cabagayan, and Lucatan were serviced the following day.
Aside from the free medical services, the provincial government of Davao Oriental, through the Barangay Affairs Office, also distributed more than 6,000 rice packs (5 kilos each) to the households.
Municipal Mayor Samuel Uy, Vice Mayor Nestor Uy, and the respective Punong Barangays expressed their gratitude to the Governor for helping the people with serious health concerns and those that need immediate medical assistance, and others who seek preventive health measures. They also lauded the Governor’s programs which helped impact people’s lives as they expressed to shower their support.
The Oplan Panglawas first started on October 7, last year, which also benefitted 2,000 residents in all the barangays of the Municipality of Boston. Aside from the Oplan Panglawas, the provincial government has also been catering to assist patients by putting up the Provincial Capitol’s Provincial Governor’s Office – Social Services Unit under the headship of Rhea Clarabal, which shoulders medical bills and other medical expenses.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health also complemented the Day 2 of Oplan Panglawas with its conduct of vaccination of the Chikiting Ligtas campaign launched on May 2. The program catered children aged 9-59 months old to be protected against rubella, polio and measles.
Also present during the program were Sangguniang Panlalawigan Representatives Board Members Ana Cheryl Tata Nuñez-Castro and Board Member Nennette D. Palmera, the consultant for special concerns for health program Dr. Joy Sanico, with the partners on peace and development from the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police (PNP). By Mark Oliver Alvite
