Led by the Municipal Health Officer, Dr. Lorelie R. Remando, the respective focal persons of the Municipal Health Office (MHO) services reported on their year-round projects, programs, and activities (PPAs) citing their recent accomplishments, in the meeting convened by Mayor Dante Dexter A. Agatep on September 4, 2023.
Among the priority agenda during their earlier meeting were the findings of the Department of Health (DOH) regional and central offices on the Municipality’s Health Compliance and Responsiveness metrics, which are also the performance standards for each of the functionalities of the MHO.
LASAM-WIDE BLOOD SMEARING. One recent accomplishment of the MHO was the completion of Blood Smearing in all 30 barangays. This not only allowed them to conduct blood typing but also detect communicable diseases afflicting residents.
TB DOT. The challenges in detecting tuberculosis cases in the municipality was reported by JM Salva, Focal Person for TB-HIV. The actual number of TB cases is not easy to establish with the stigma attached to the disease. Although, the DOH-directive on direct observed therapy (DOT) is conscientiously being administered among confirmed TB patients.
OPERATION TULI. The Operation Tuli per barangay, within the school break, was also just concluded with some 250 newly-circumcised boys.
NUTRITION SHEPHERDING. Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Kjara Bernadette Agatep reported on the Municipality’s nutrition programs, more importantly nutritional supplementation among pregnant women and nutritional shepherding through the Barangay Nutrition Scholars. Towards this, Lasam has just recognized best nutrition program implementors among its barangays.
FAMILY PLANNING, VACCINATION. Both of these two concerns are a major preoccupation of their respective focal persons. The Municipality has just sponsored beneficiaries to free tubal ligation and pregnancy ultrasound as part of the DOH Region 2 Family Planning Caravan. Required vaccination for the young and senior citizens are continually being conducted.
WATER SANITATION. It was reported that while the ratio of pump wells to the population of some barangays needs improvement, there is a growing popularity of filtered, potable water from water refilling stations. The Mayor then instructed the Water Sanitary Focal Persons to closely monitor the booming water refilling business in the Municipality.
ON DISPENSING MEDICINES. Pharmacy Focal Person Hazel Pastor reported on fast moving medicines to which Mayor Agatep and Budget Officer Jose Rebultan, Jr. said only these should be well-stocked and that the Pharmacy could only provide part of what is prescribed in some instances.
The meeting was also an opportunity for the Local Chief Executive to address other concerns in the entire MHO. The Mayor reiterated the importance of collaboration within the department, proper reporting protocols, and observing the chain of command.
A week later, the contingent returned to the Mayor’s Office, this time to defend the Municipal Health Office budget for 2024, before the Finance Committee. One of the budgetary considerations for next year is the devolution of the purchase of some medical supplies.
In both meetings, Mayor Agatep underscored the mandate of the MHO and its functionalities. And that his administration is duty-bound to ensure Lasameños’ access to health services every way the Municipality is capable of.
Please click THIS LINK for information on the services of the Municipal Health Office, which operates the Rural Health Unit located at the Lasam Town Center.#
— A. Ursua