SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) — The Municipal Local Government of San Jose, in partnership with other stakeholders, conducted a medical mission in the far-flung Mangyan Indigenous People (IP) community in Sitio Mantay, Brgy. Monteclaro to aid with the recent multiple deaths due to disease in the area.
The situation in Monteclaro was initially reported by volunteer teachers from the Socio-economic Uplift, Literacy, Anthropological, and Development Services (SULADS).
Sitio Mantay is situated in the mountainous area of Brgy. Monteclaro, one of the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the municipality. The community can be accessed by more than a five-hour walk traversing rivers and rocky roads.
With the aid of the Philippine Army 68th Infantry Battalion’s Black Hawk helicopter, the medical team of the Municipal Health Office (MHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) Mimaropa were able to reach the community in 30 minutes.
The team provided free medical check-ups, benefitting 175 individuals in the community. However, the check-up revealed that pneumonia and other respiratory infections are prevalent among the children in the community.
According to MHO, there were 20 confirmed deaths– the majority of whom are children ages five years old or younger, from Sitio Mantay and nearby communities from August to November 9 were caused by severe pediatric community-acquired pneumonia. The disease is aggravated by malnutrition, unsanitary living conditions, and intestinal parasitism which leads to poor immunity.
Dr. Lordivino T. Mesina of MHO explained that their team distributed medical supplies to the community, “Ang pinamahagi na teady-to-use therapeutic food o RUTF, mga gamot sa ubo at sipon, antibiotics, at bitamina ay panimula pa lamang. Magkakaroon pa ng pangalawang pagbisita sa [Sitio] Mantay at mga karatig sitio nito.”
The MHO will be conducting a follow-up visit in the community and nearby sitios in December. According to their latest report, there had been no mortality reports from the area after the recent medical mission.
To prevent the spread of the disease, residents were reminded to focus on eating nutritional food, such as fruits and vegetables abundant in the area. Cleanliness was also highlighted, including consuming clean water. The Barangay Health Workers (BHW) recently conducted an “anti-malaria operation” in the community and distributed medicines and vitamins.
The provincial government office provided medical supplies to aid with the medical mission. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro)
The medical team of MHO and DOH Mimaropa arrived at Sitio Mantay, Brgy. Monteclaro. With the help of the Philippine Army’s Black Hawk helicopter, the team arrived after 30 minutes of air travel. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army 68th Infantry Batallion)
