STO. TOMAS, Isabela, March 26 (PIA) – More than 2,000 families sought health services in the medical, dental and surgical mission conducted as part of the 2013 Bayani Challenge here, spearheaded by the Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Region 2, in partnership with the Local Government Unit of this town, the Provincial Government of Isabela and the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC).

Dr. Babilyne Agagon, municipal health officer, said most of the families who took advantage of the activity were beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), but there were also some who were not included in the 4Ps who deserve to be assisted by the government.

Of the number served, Dr. Agagon said there were 21 pregnant women who sought pre-natal check-up, 131 individuals for tooth extraction and 110 underwent minor surgical operation while the rest sought medical check-up wherein majority were given with free medicines and vitamins.

Mayor Leandro Antonio Talaue expressed his sincerest gratitude for bringing the kind of service to his town to reach his constituents who really deserved to be served with such kind of service as well as be educated on good health practice.

“I am very much thankful that we serve my people. They really need this. The education campaign on health practices alone is very much important as we really envisioned our constituents to learn how to manage their own health and to realize the importance of good health habits,” Talaue stated.

On his part, Floro Orata, health education and promotion officer of DOH-2, explained that the concept of the health mission as part of the Bayani Challenge was inspired from the ‘Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan’, wherein they let poor sick individuals converge in an area to serve with several health services.

“This health mission here includes medical check-up, dental and minor surgical services. They will also be given information on healthy lifestyle and other education campaign on health practices,” Orata said.

Orata also challenged the LGU to exert further efforts to sustain the program and reach out other families to deliver better health services in the said town.

Sto Tomas, Isabela is one of the two sites of health mission for Bayani Challenge in Region 2, second to Bambang in Nueva Vizcaya.

Mayor Talaue also ensured that they continue the program and enhance further their health services to improve the health status of his constituents.

He also informed that their new Rural Health Unit is under construction through the LGUs fund and they will complete the construction in the near future through the health facility upgrading program of DOH.