Better medical assistance for Sison IPs eyed
THE Department of Health (DOH) recently launched its first-ever Sulong Kalusugan Para sa mga Katutubo – the first in the Region, in Sison on Friday, April 20.
The program seeks to provide and focus medical care for the 10,683 indigenous peoples (IP) living in Sison – making up 61 percent of the province’s 17,268 total registered IPs.
DOH officer-in-charge Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire led the event, along with Undersecretary Enrique Tayag, DOH-Center for Health Development 1 Head Dr. Paula Sydiongco, Sison town Mayor Danilo Uy, and 5th District Rep. Ramon Guico Jr.
There are 208,894 IPs in Region 1 and 17,268 reside in the Pangasinan, and most are situated in Sison with 10,683 inhabitants.
There were 500 IP/GIDA beneficiaries from barangays Agat (100), Labayug (200) Sagunto (100) and Bila (100) that receive basic health services during the activity.
Provided were services for nutrition, oral health, mental health, basic consultation, PHILPEN Risk Factor Screening, diabetic retinopathy screening, cervical cancer screening, immunization, TB active case finding, family planning, hearing test, and health education.
Wheelchairs, BHS packages, and other logistics were distributed including glucometers, HerbMAP packages, BHS packages, nutribox for pregnant women, adolescent health kits, buntis kits, mental health kits, V/S monitoring kits, and hearing aid for eligible patients.
In a press conference after the launching of the program, Vergeire revealed that many IPs suffer from curable illnesses, particularly IP children who suffer or die from illnesses that may be cured if they only have proper medical access.
Even pregnant women from among the IP community are also unable to regularly avail of their check-ups, which could prove risky for the mother, and the unborn child.
She said she hopes more children from the IP community will be inoculated with the month-long Measles-Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity this May.
While the program may temporarily help the IPs in their health, she said DOH will focus on the long-term goal – having a medical practitioner among the IPs that will greatly assist them, as it would break down cultural barriers that make it difficult, if not impossible, for the doctors to assist their IP patients.
For this, the program offered DOH scholarship to urge IP youngsters to take up pre-medical and medical degrees,
Meanwhile, Mayor Danilo Uy said, doctors from the town’s Rural Health Unit go to the remote areas of Sison where IPs live. (Ahikam Pasion)
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