THE City Health Office Dispensary Section called on workers from the concerned service sector to renew their health cards as it aims to cover its target of 100,000 health cards for 2023. These cards are released and processed at Gaisano Ilustre.
“More than 10,000 ang nakakuha. Ang target nato this year is 100,000 para ma-beat nato ang last year nga record (More than 10,000 have already obtained their health cards. Our target this year is 100,000 so that we can beat last year’s record),” said Dr. Greggy Mark Yee, the CHO Dispensary Section Head, in an interview on Friday.
Among those who are required to get health cards are those who are working in the food service industry, security guards, and massage therapists.
Yee said that these past few days, they recorded an increase in the number of employees who were able to process their health cards, with 1,400 as the highest number per day. He added that the renewal may end around March- April depending on the number of clients.
He underscored that health card renewal is very important.
“Importante ni sya kay aside sa dili sila madakpan o [masirado] ilang company. Kailangan nila ma train og usab labaw na sa atong food handlers. Dapat kabalo sila unsay dapat og mga dili sa pagprepare og food, para sa non-food pud, aron ma-aware sila sa tama nga proseso (This is very important so that they won’t be apprehended or that their company will not be closed. They also need to train, especially those who are food handlers. They also should know the do’s and don’t’s in food preparation. For the non-food also so that they would become aware of the correct processes),” Yee said, adding that they have lanes for food handlers who need to undergo training. The training is facilitated by CHO sanitary inspectors.
The main requirements for a health card are a filled-up application form, cedula, official receipt from the City Treasurer’s Office/Osmena Park/ Cashier on site, and laboratory results that may vary depending on the type of occupation.
“For the whole year ang health card nato is Php 50.00 excluding the laboratories na na siya. Ang laboratories kamo bahala asa magpalaboratory pwede ta mahalon, pwede ta sa kaya-kaya, as long as legit siya nga laboratory wala gyud ta’y problema (For the whole year our health card is Php 50.00 that is excluding the laboratory fees. The laboratories it is up to you where will you go, it may be at the expensive laboratories or those that are offering a lower price, but as long it is a legitimate laboratory we do not have any problem),” Yee said.
To make processing easier, Dabawenyos are encouraged to present the requirements at the site. They are also reminded to take note of the agency name as it is among the necessary details that will appear on the health card. DAVAO CIO