THE Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas launched on Friday, September 15, a program that will ensure health services will be provided to all, especially those who are institutionalized.

The DOH-Central Visayas officials, led by Dr. Jaime Bernadas, formally launched the "Last Mile" program at the Cebu City Jail.

The program aims to provide medical services to people that are the most isolated, whether geographically or socially, such as isolated island barangays, urban poor and street dwellers; indigenous peoples, jail inmates, drug rehabilitation patients and those who are living in homes for the elderly.

"The program is not only focused on the poorest of the poor, but for those where health services are most needed or where it is least felt," said Dr. Jonathan Neil Erasmo, DOH-Central Visayas health program supervisor.

In Central Visayas, DOH chose the Cebu City Jail as a pilot area for the program.

Based on the program, DOH will provide medical and dental services, psychosocial counseling, HIV testing, blood driving, sugar testing, ultrasound services, among others. (SunStar Cebu)