The Mission of the Department of Health- Cordillera Administrative Region states, “To guarantee equitable, sustainable and quality health for all people in the Cordillera Region, especially the poor, and to lead the quest for excellence in health”. In order to attain this, the government has devised its strategy through the Universal Health Care (UHC) to Address Inequity in the Health System. Hence, this UHC which is also referred to as the “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan” (KP), is a government mandate aiming to ensure that every Filipino shall receive affordable and quality health benefits which include the provision of adequate resources- health human resources, health facilities, and health financing. And not to mention that due to the geographical location of the Municipality of Tadian and financial constraints, not all of the constituents from its nineteen (19) barangays have access to health services.
In view of the above mandate, the Tadian Local Government Unit, through the initiatives of Hon. Anthony D. Wooden, Municipal Mayor, in partnership with the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Philippines Fraternity, Inc., a Free Medical, Dental, Circumcision and Distribution of Corrective Eyeglasses Mission was conducted on April 21, 2018 (Saturday) from 9 o’clock in the morning to 2 o’clock in the afternoon. It was held at the Tadian Central School, Pobacion, Tadian, Mountain Province. The target beneficiaries of the activity are the community people of Tadian municipality.
The activity started with an opening program that lasted an hour then followed by the activity proper. During the program, Mr. Aldoro Rosaria, APO Philippines Incorporated program coordinator, said “Kailangan nating tugunan ang mga pangangailangang pangkalusugan ng mga mamamayan na walang hinihintay na kapalit (We need to address the health needs of the community people without expecting something in return)”.
As expected, a crowd of people eagerly waited at the covered gym of the Tadian Central School. Young and old patiently waited for their turn, whether to have a tooth extracted, find a relief for an illness, or to undergo circumcision.
The work force who offered their free services composed of 1 Army Reservist from the 1403rd (MTP) Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion and 2 Medical Doctors, 18 Nurses, 1 Midwife, 4 Dentists, 3 Dental Aides, 3 Pharmacists, and 2 personnel in-charge of corrective eyeglasses from the Tadian Rural Health Unit and other volunteers from various health agencies and emergency responders group.
At the end of the activity, the team was able to cater to 26 for medical, 62 for dental, 68 for circumcision, and 86 for optical services to come up with a summation of 242 clients from the various barangays of the municipality.
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Steve Tibangwa, PIO
