DOH -13 supports Bagong Pilipinas through 8-point health agenda
By Remil Vincent Lagumbay
BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Health - Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga Dir. Cesar C. Cassion and Assistant Regional Dir. Sadaila K. Raki-in bolstered at the regional level the nationwide 8-point health agenda of DOH during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on July 2.
Anchored on the overarching principles of the Bagong Pilipinas, the 8-point health agenda promotes a premium health care system for every Filipino embodying the mantra, “Bawat Buhay ay Mahalaga,” which is comprised of eight action points namely, Bawat Pilipino Ramdam ang Kalusugan; Ligtas, Dekalidad at mapagkalingang Serbisyo; Teknolohiya para sa Mabilis na Serbisyong Pang-kalusugan; Handa sa Krisis; Pag-iwas sa Sakit; Ginhawa ng Isip at Damdamin; Kapakanan at Karapatan ng Bawat Health Worker; and Proteksyon sa anumang Pandemya, all serving as pillars for the health sector to enact programs and activities aimed at narrowing the socio-economic divide that hinders access to quality and equitable health care in the country and the region.
Dir. Cassion stated that the campaigns are strengthened through the implementation of health programs in the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) by constructing super health centers in these hard to reach and vulnerable zones.
Since 2022 there are 13 already super health centers established in Caraga and renovated 22 rural health units (RHUs) in the region. The department focused on refurbishing the barangay health centers by upgrading their infrastructures, medical equipment and the provision of equitable medical practitioners.
The regional director emphasized that the agenda embodies crisis preparedness and the principles of safe, accessible, affordable and quality healthcare services.
"We are establishing resilience in every community while ensuring the welfare of the healthcare provider networks. It is important that we have stronger ties and constant engagement with the stakeholders, our partners para sa mas handa at malusog na Pilipino, komunidad, institusyon at health workers sa Bagong Pilipinas," said Cassion.
Moreover, Raki-in clarified that COVID-19 booster vaccinations will continue once they overcome supply challenges in the department.
“We are still campaigning for the COVID-19 booster, the challenge is that we no longer have supplies of the vaccine. Still, it is good if we continue the vaccination and for an individual to have a complete vaccine,” she relayed.
Dr. Dioharra L. Aparri, team lead of the Health Programs Support Team of DOH-CHD Caraga reported that they heightened the advocacy campaigns on human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) emphasizing on their free testing, consultation and treatments due to the increasing cases in the region. The department is also cooperating with local government units on the involvement of those individuals who are confirmed positive with the disease for them to receive urgent treatment and medical intervention.
Aparri assured the public of the strict compliance of the treatment hubs and their personnel on confidentiality and data privacy of the people living with HIV (PLHIV).
Cassion recognized the valuable contribution of the Philippine Information Agency in strengthening the campaign against HIV and AIDS through effective information dissemination and recognized the support of the media partners in spreading awareness down to the grassroots level.
Cassion added that there are five HIV testing centers in the region to wit, Butuan Medical Center in Butuan City, Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center in Tandag City, Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Hospital and Valentina Galido Plaza Memorial Hospital in Agusan del Sur, and Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City.
The Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas is a synchronized event nationwide, every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m., where national line agencies at the regional level take center stage to share their significant accomplishments, either small wins or game changers, projects, programs and plans to sustain regional development and nation building. (RVL/ PIA-Caraga)
