BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – A barangay in Baguio City shows how local government units, even the barangays, play an important role in role in promoting healthy communities.
Barangay Dontogan, in partnership with the Atab Health Center and Barangay Health Workers representing District 14, conducted a medical mission on February 21, 2025 that benefitted at least 91 barangay residents.
The services include cervical screening, breast examination, risk assessment for non-communicable diseases, and eye check-up. There are 12 who underwent visual inspection with acetic acid for cervical screening, 49 for breast examination, and 30 for eye check-up.
The cervical screening through visual inspection with acetic acid and breast examination was conducted for early detection and to increase awareness about cervical and breast related illness, said Midwife II Remedios Poclan.
“Nag-breast exam kami to increase awareness of women about breast cancer or para malaman nila kung bakit po mahalaga ang breast examination at mahalaga ang yearly na pagpapa-check ng cervix para for the early detection of cervical cancer,” she explained.
Rachel Lagto who underwent screening said that as a woman, it is important to undergo cervical screening and breast examination for diagnosis and for early detection since her family has a history of cancer.
“Para sa aming member ng breast feeding support group, kailangan din naming magpa-exam dahil sa family naming may history kami ng cancer, and sa ating mga babae, importante din po na magpa-papsmear tayo, breast examination para ma-prevent [ang kanser],” she said.
For the non-communicable diseases risk assessment, Nurse II Raniel Al Bolla said this is conducted to monitor people with high risk of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, heart attack and cancer, which are often lifestyle-related.
“Isa na dyan ‘yung paninigarilyo, pag-iinom ng alak, physical inactivity or ito yung walang masyadong ginagawa sa buhay tska yung diet natin. Nasa top 10n na halos pinapacheck up nila sa atin is hypertension, diabetis, yang mga yan. Nasa top 10 mortality rate din natin yung rason kung bakit namamatay ang isang tao isa na din dyan, leading cause is stroke, heart attack,” he said.
With these they are conducting lectures to the community for awareness and prevention.
Barangay Kagawad Michael Andres had his eyes checked. He expressed his gratefulness for the free eye check-up for his visual function.
“We are happy dahil makaka-conduct tayo ng free checkup sa ating mga residents dito sa community ng Dontogan, “ Barangay Kagawad Simplicio Talangkay said.
The barangay has allotted a budget for the conduct of medical missions in the community.
Talangkay also bared that there are also barangay nutrition scholars who are monitoring the children’s health. (JDP/DEG/Liezel Castillijos – PIA-BSU Intern)
