MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The pledge to bolster the health system and provision of relevant services for all residents in this city has never remained mere words for the city government here as Mayor Majul Gandamra showcased enthusiasm to obligate what was necessary to safeguard the health of residents.  

He crowed about their sound relationship with the City Health Office (CHO), stating that in tandem with this department, they had the opportunity to bring in different medical help such as dental assistance and distribution of dental kits.

Gandamra recalled that at the onset of the gruesome crisis caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19, they exhausted all means to preserve the health of the citizens, highlighting that it should be treasured most, above anything else. 

“Dito natin natutunan na napakaimportante ang kalusugan ng lahat, at naging aktibo ang local government unit sa pagpapatupad ng mga hakbang at sa paghahatid ng mga serbisyong pangkalusugan upang mapanatili ang kalusugan ng bawat isa,” he said. 

(We learned here that the health of all is most important, and our local government unit became active in implementing steps and delivering health services to maintain the health of each one.)

Gandamra noted that the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) has constantly surveilled the current scenario, and the healthcare workers unceasingly placed themselves in the frontline, thus, the unfeigned acclamation they have been receiving. 

He mentioned that while the CHO was recognized for its exemplary public health reporting, the CESU obtained the title of completely functional and ranked as the second-best performing unit by the regional ESU of the Bangsamoro region. 

Gandamra added that their regular medical outreach program dubbed 'MUGSerbisyo sa Barangay' has allowed them to offer medical consultation and other forms of aid to at least 58 villages, including transitory and permanent shelters, benefitting 12,523 patients. 

Under the family health cluster, he reported that they have pushed for initiatives, like the Safe Motherhood Program, which spotlighted the wellness of mothers and their children. Accordingly, 86 percent of carrying women enjoyed prenatal care, 95 percent availed of postnatal care, and 87 percent had facility-based deliveries through skillful birth attendants as of 2022. 

Furthermore, Gandamra stressed that they have been promoting family planning, believing that this is one of the crucial aspects of their health services. In their most recent data, there are 5,056 active users of this method, 659 accepted to apply the approach for this year, and 61 were heartened to venture into the same way as a result of 12 conducted Usapan Serye sessions. 

The well-being of the community's youth was also highly valued, leading to the establishment of eight accredited Level I and II adolescent-friendly health facilities to comprehensively nurture and care for young people.  

Through their National Immunization Program, Gandamra revealed that 87 percent of their target population has already been fully vaccinated, and 23,916 children, or 104 percent of their goal, have been immunized due to the full-swing implementation of Measles and Rubella Supplementation Immunization Activity. 

He also ensured that 99.5 percent of kids aged six to 59 months were supplemented with vitamin A, and 81,749 youngsters aged one to 19 received deworming treatments. 

For their disease management, Gandamra boasted of their National Tuberculosis Control Program, which has extended free anti-TB drugs to 520 patients for six months and led to the healing of 95% of them in 2022. 

Ultimately, the city government guaranteed the completion of the construction of five rural health units and operational barangay health stations in the least affected area while more health establishments and temporary treatment monitoring facilities for COVID-affected individuals are still progressing, among which is the Marawi City General Hospital slated to be unveiled in 2024. 

In fulfilling the aim for their populace’s health and overall welfare, Gandamra reiterated his commitment to be continuously of service to the public. 

“Nakita natin sa mga nagdaan pang taon na mas marami pa tayong nagawa para sa Islamic city of Marawi. Hindi tayo natitinag o napapagod sa patuloy na pagseserbisyo sa inyong lahat,” he said. 

(We saw in the past years that we have done a lot for the Islamic city of Marawi. We were undeterred or unwearied in continuously serving you all.) (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)