CLARK FREEPORT -- Governor Lilia Nanay Pineda announced on Tuesday that the provincial government will deploy four mobile vans complete with medical laboratory equipment in the 505 barangays of the province.
This was gleaned during the 2016 Regional Health Workers Congress with a theme, "Lahat Para sa Kalusugan Tungo sa Kalusugan" attended by almost 1,000 barangay health workers (BHWs) from Central Luzon.
Held at Royce Hotel in this Freeport, Governor Pineda said the mobile van clinics is part of the Preventive Health Management System (PHMS) that will carry out the Duterte Health Agenda or the Philippine Health Agenda similar to the Cuban Health Program.
The governor said for the past six years they have already implemented health preventive measures through utilizing the able assistance of "Nars Ng Nayon."
The governor said she wants the medical services be closer to the people, hence, she tasked the provincial health office (PHO) led by Dr. Jose Antonio Rivera Jr, PHO in-charge to deploy the "Nars Ng Nayon" through the participation of the rural health units and municipal health offices in the 505 villages.
"They are tasked to man the newly-purchased four mobile vans complete with potable machines used in detecting tumors, electrocardiogram (ECG), ultrasound and x-ray to screen and diagnose the sick kabalens," she told the BHWs.
With the Capitol's health management system at the barangay level, all kinds of diseases and illnesses experienced by the Cabalen needing dialysis, chemotherapy and other medical procedures will be avoided and prevented.
The preventive health management system will be implemented in cooperation with Philhealth and the Department of Health, implementing the Cuban health program and assistance from the ten district and one provincial hospitals.
It can be noted that the provincial government is spending P100 million for the medical needs and service for the whole year.
"This annual medical expenses will be lessened through the mobile van complete with medical equipment that will serve down there at the barangay level at the convenience of the poor sick kabalens," she added.
For her part, Dr. Leonita Gorgolon, DOH regional director said the BHWs play an important role in monitoring and prevention of diseases and illnesses experienced by kabalens.
Dr. Eric Tayag of the DOH who led a dance number to the delight of the audience also attended the event. (Aida B. Bungue/Pampanga PIO)