Ligao City launches Mobile Dental Clinic; conducts Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan Caravan

On the sixth day of its 14th Cityhood Anniversary celebration, the City Government of Ligao, in partnership with the Department of Health, launched the Mobile Dental Clinic and conducted the Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan Caravan at Barangay Nasisi on 23 March 2015. 

Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua and DOH Regional Director Gloria J. Balboa, M.D. graced the ribbon cutting and blessing of Mobile Dental Clinic

The mobile dental clinic features a complete set of medical equipment for performing dental procedures. This is to provide dental services to residents in remote areas who cannot afford to visit health clinics. Likewise, this will also help the dentists to conveniently and safely perform dental procedures with the patients. 

Dentists can now perform dental procedures with complete medical equipment with the new Mobile Dental Clinic of Ligao City 

Meanwhile, the Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan (LBK) Caravan features a bus that serves as a mobile health facility with two mobile clinics where pregnant and post-partum women can consult with specialists, according to DOH Health Education Promotion Officer and LBK Caravan head Noemi A. Bron. The LBK bus is also equipped with laboratory and birthing equipment. It has 16 seats in the waiting area where patients can watch information materials provided by the DOH. 

Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan invades Ligao City. 

Doctors, nurses, and health workers of the City Health Office headed by Dr. Wynns Samar served as facilitators and knowledge providers in stations or classes during the LBK Caravan. The stations discussed information on safe motherhood, reproductive health, family planning, and child nutrition. A station called Usapang Macho was also installed for fathers and male participants. 

The first station in the Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan Caravan covers a topic on safe motherhood and child nutrition.

An interactive exhibit was also opened during the LBK Caravan wherein health workers and participants make a two-way discussion of displayed information.

Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua, Vice Mayor Jorlan T. Guanzon, and DOH Regional Director Gloria J. Balboa, M.D, with the City Councilors graced the ribbon cutting and opening of the interactive exhibit at Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan Caravan.

DOH Regional Director Gloria J. Balboa, M.D. acknowledged the active participation of Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua as head of the City Government in implementing health programs. Due to its efforts in promoting good health, Ligao City received four Salud-Bikolnon Awards from DOH in 2014.

Written by Lala Peñafiel

Beyond borders: Ligao City delivers free health services to the people

The City Health Office, headed by Dr. Wynns Samar (left), provides health services and periodically conducts medical  and dental missions to ensure the health and nutrition of local residents.

The City Government of Ligao, through its City Health Office (CHO), delivers free health services for newborns, pregnant women, young adults, senior citizens, and the general public. Generously, the City extends these services to the residents of nearby barangays from neighboring municipalities through its community health facilities.

Extensive health services for pregnant women and children

• Prenatal and Antenatal Health services. Pregnant women receive health services before and after giving birth. They undergo medical checkups three times during their pregnancy. They also receive a six-month supply of Ferrous Sulfate with Follic Acid before giving birth. Another two-month supply of Ferrous Sulfate is given to maintain a good supply of red blood cells in their body after giving birth. 

• Birthing facilities. Ligao has four lying-ins. Two are located in the upland area (Bacong and Paulba), one in the coastal area (Maonon), and one in the Mayon Unit (Basag).  These birthing facilities, along with the 13 Barangay Health Stations, serve as catchment areas of patients from surrounding barangays. The lying-in at Maonon, for instance, not only offers health services within the coastal areas of Ligao but also to barangays Bogtong (Oas) and Basicao (Pioduran). Similarly, Paulba Lying-in, which is strategically located three meters away from Ligao City Hall Annex, caters to ten barangays in the upland area. Neihboring barangays of Oas, Albay also benefit from the services due to the accessibility of the facility. 

• Health care for infants. Childbirth services in the lying-ins are also offered for free. Upon birth, infants undergo Newborn Screening, a test done to diagnose possible disorder that can affect the child’s health and survival. In addition, the CHO routinely administers immunization of infants and visits remote areas to conduct mass immunization.

The BEMONC facility at Basag services barangays in the Mayon Unit.
Photo: Ligao City Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lgu.ligaocity

Consultations for pregnant women and children are scheduled every Wednesday. CHO maintains separate scheduled medical checkups to avoid patients with communicable illnesses get in contact with pregnant women and children.

The Paulba Lying-in, formerly called Ligao Municipal Health Infirmary, has serviced upland barangays since 1994. The facility is a catchment area of patients from upland barangays of Ligao including the nearby barangays of neighboring municipalities.  Photo: Ligao City Planning and Development Office

Nutrition programs and health facilities for youth and senior citizens

• Nutrition programs. CHO conducts deworming among children and implements feeding programs in schools. Likewise, the CHO provides free vitamins and medicines for malnourished children. They also coordinate with the medical personnel of the Department of Education to assess the health situation of students. 

• Health facilities for youth. This year, Ligao City simultaneously opened its first community Teen Health Center at the second floor of CHO and school-based Teen Chat Center at Ligao National High School. The establishment of the facilities aims to address the issue on teenage pregnancy, and other problems encountered by teenagers.

The Therapeutic Rehabilitation and Nutrition Center at Tuburan, beside the BRSHS, houses the Senior Citizen's Center and the Physical Therapy Center. 

• The Therapeutic Rehabilitation and Nutrition Center at Barangay Tuburan, beside the Bicol Regional High School houses the Senior Citizen Center dedicated solely for the medical needs of senior citizens. Services include the following:

• Medical checkups scheduled every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• Consultations, laboratory tests, and medicines all available for free. 
• Yearly activities prepared by the City for senior citizens. One of which is the Elderly Week wherein the City awards senior citizens who reach the age of 100.

• The Physical Therapy Center is also located at Tuburan. A licensed Physical Therapist services patients in need of rehabilitation therapy, e.g. those who are recovering from vehicular accidents.

General health services and programs

CHO offers dental services and conducts

dental missions yearly.

The CHO has five doctors consisting of two General Practitioners, an Obstetrician, Internal Medicine specialist, and a resident doctor for senior citizens. CHO provides a variety of health services to the general public.

• Consultations and laboratory testing. Patients can avail medical checkups for free. Laboratory testing such as CBC, Urinalysis, Fecalysis, and Sputum exam are also available at CHO.

• Dental services. A dentist is permanently assigned at the office while another one makes rounds at schools and day care centers. Every month, a dentist also visits the Mayon Unit barangays to offer free dental services to the local residents. 

• Medical assistance. The City has allotted a budget for patients admitted at the Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital (BRTTH) and provides medical assistance such as payment of hospital bills and medicines for patients treated in other hospitals. Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua said that the City provides financial assistance for the purchase of medicines.

• Sanitation Program. CHO also conducts sanitary inspection of water facilities and food establishments. The City Government subsidizes the operation of Ligao Water District to provide safe potable and affordable water supply.

Patients under emergency are referred and transferred directly to hospitals by ambulance.

Towards better services

Aside from the newly opened Teen Health Center, CHO has also started the Dance Fitness Program this year to address the issue on obesity. Zumba dance lessons are done every Thursdays and Fridays and are open to the public. 

In 2015, the CHO will begin its Mobile Dental Clinic, a new service to improve the accessibility of dental services to the local residents. Two new health facilities which are nearly completed are also expected to operate next year- the new lying-in near the City Hall and the satellite office of CHO at Nasisi that will offer the same kind of health services as that of the main CHO.

In addition, the City purchased two additional ambulances this year for use in medical emergency transport needs.

The nearly completed satellite office of CHO at Nasisi is expected to operate very soon to offer similar health services to the Mayon Unit barangays. Photo courtesy of Jurlan Buello

The City Government of Ligao headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua along with the medical team lead by Dr. Samar and other offices of the local government are working closely together to further improve the health services being offered to the people.

While CHO continues in improving the health services, Ligao also strive to further upgrade facilities to continuously improve the services. The Office of the Mayor is directing all the offices of the City Government to continuously and progressively deliver all the basic services for the benefit and well-being of its inhabitants. 

Written by Lala Peñafiel

Ligao City launches CHO Teen Health Center; introduces Peer Educators

Ligao City launched its first community-based Teen Health Center at the second floor of the City Health Office (CHO) on March 19, 2014.

The increasing number of teenagers engaged in premarital sex as well as the number of female teenagers becoming mothers at an early age has become alarming, calling for an urgent action.The CHO Teen Health Center was then established to address the concerns and problems encountered by teenagers including drug addiction, teenage pregnancy, and other personal crises.

"We need to give special attention to the teenagers because they really need our time not only our treasure but basically our precious presence with them," said Ligao National High School (LNHS) Principal Mrs. Sinson who also introduced the recently opened LNHS Teen Chat Center which made the event a Twin Opening of the two facilities for teenagers.

Peer Education

According to Ms. Ces Sevilla of Luzon Health, "peer education has really been proven effective in helping young people become more aware of themselves, develop the life skills that could guide them in adulthood such as goal-setting, decision-making, even managing emotions and stress..."

Ms. Sevilla, who was also one of the trainers in Peer Education, introduced the 33 School Peer Educators from LNHS and the nine (9) Community Peer Educators of Ligao City who underwent Peer Education in 2013.

The trained Peer Educators from Ligao National High School stood up for recognition during the launching of the CHO Teen Health Center

CHO Focal Person Dr. Edna Freya B. Tan presented the roles and responsibilities of Peer Educators. The Peer Educators will Facilitate Focused Group Discussion which will focus on teen issues including (1) general health concerns, (2) mental health concerns, and (3) sexual and reproductive health concerns.

"Hopefully, they [teenagers] would be encouraged to open up personal issues, concerns, and problems in an atmosphere that is accepting and non-judgmental in order to avoid potential crises situations," said Dr. Tan.

The concerns and issues that need professional intervention (i.e. counseling, preventive and curative services) will be referred to the Teen Health Center staff.

"The Teen Health Center is an adolescent-friendly space for education, counselling, referral, [and] services focusing on adolescent development, relationships, life skills, teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections including HIV and AIDS," said Dr. Tan, summarizing the role of the Teen Health Center.

Support from local government

Ligao City Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua

"The City Government of Ligao is very much aware of the importance of the youth in our community...we would like to develop them further so they would have better future," said Ligao City Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua.

"Therefore, as a response to Administrative Order 34-A Series 2000...the City Government of Ligao, under the City Health Office launches the Teen Health Center in its aim to respond to the increasing health risk of adolescents by providing them with the utmost services, information, guidance, and activities that they can be involved to become responsible, empowered, healthy adolescents of our society," Mayor Gonzalez-Alsua added.

In 2003, the LNHS with the regional director of the Population Commission and then Mayor Fernando V. Gonzalez, now Congressman of the 3rd District of Albay, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) to establish a Teen Center in Ligao City. Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez said that the opening of the Teen Chat Center at LNHS and the community-based Teen Health Center ''will significantly contribute to the deep concerns by our young teenagers in our schools."

MOA Signing

MOA SIGNING. (R-L) Provincial Health Officer Dr. Nathaniel B. Rempillo, Ligao City Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua, LNHS Principal Mrs. Carmelita A. Sinson, and Dr./Atty Alexis Albao of DOH-CHD V

The MOA relating to the establishment of the Teen Health Center was later signed by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Nathaniel B. Rempillo, Ligao City Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua, LNHS Principal Mrs. Carmelita A. Sinson, and Dr./Atty Alexis Albao of DOH-CHD V.





Source:
City Health Office
Launching of Teen Health Center Program

Ligao City builds City Health Office Extension at Brgy. Nasisi

Photo courtesy of Nasisi Brgy, Captain Jurlan Buello

In line with the construction of the City Hall Annex at Paulba, Ligao City, the City Health Office (CHO) Extension is being constructed at Barangay Nasisi, Ligao City to make health services available to the residents in the Mayon unit barangays. The construction is expected to be finished this April 2014 according to Nasisi Barangay Captain Jurlan Buello. The on-going construction is located beside the Nasisi Barangay Hall.

The budget for the CHO Extension is supposedly allotted to the expansion of the CHO Main Office at Sta. Cruz, Ligao City. However, due to the lack of space, the local government decided to put up a CHO Extension at Barangay Nasisi instead, which in turn will benefit the residents in the Mayon unit.   

Brgy. Captain Buello also said that health services at CHO Extension are similar to those offered at CHO Main. The facility will also serve as a Lying-in Clinic as it will offer childbirth services. One resident doctor and a nurse will be assigned every day at the clinic. Brgy. Captain Buello also said the project will benefit the residents in the Mayon unit as they will no longer have to visit the CHO Main for medical check-ups and other services, thereby saving travel time and expenses.

The construction of the CHO Extension was funded by the Department of Health while the Department of Public Works and Highways is the implementing agency with the allotted budget of two million pesos (P 2M). This project is another initiative of Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua and Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez.

Related articles:

Paulba Lying-in: providing health services to the upland barangays of Ligao City

LNHS Extension soon to rise at Nasisi, Ligao City

New Police Sub-Station in Nasisi, Ligao City: Providing better peace and order services for the Mayon unit barangays.

Paulba Lying-in: Providing health services in the upland barangays of Ligao City

The Paulba Lying-in, formerly called Ligao Municipal Health Infirmary, was established in August 13, 1994 and has been providing health services to the upland barangays since then. The facility covers 10 barangays including Allang, Malama, Tandarura, Francia, Paulba, Oma-oma, Busac, Tiongson, Tupaz, and Culliat.

In 2010, Paulba Lying-in became a Basic Emergency Maternal Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEMONC) facility. It now offers a variety of health services including prenatal consultation, childbirth delivery, immunization of infants, immediate newborn care, postpartum consultation, and reproductive health services. The facility is open 24/7 according to Oli Almazar who has been in the service for nine years as a nurse.

The facility has four doctors who specializes in Family Medicine, General Practice, Internal Medicine, and Obstetrics/Gynecology. The doctors make rounds in the barangays on a shifting schedule to provide health services to the children, pregnant women, and senior citizen, according to Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua. Dr. Ana Cajanding also added that there are four nurses, seven midwives, and four medical personnel from Nurse Deployment Project (NDP) and Rural Health Midwives Placement Program (RHMPP) in Paulba Lying-in.

Since November 22, 2010, the services and supplies at Paulba Lying-in are being offered for free. Almazar also said that Paulba Lying-in accommodates even transients. The facility had a total of 898 childbirth deliveries.

Paulba Lying-in began as a project of former Mayor Francisco V. Gonzalez Jr. in 1994. Twenty years of service and the facility continues to offer health services to the upland barangays. The facility will also undergo renovations for better health services and accommodation of patients.

Paulba Lying-in is also strategic to the location of the City Hall Annex as it is located three meters away. Paulba Lying-in is under the City Health Office of Ligao City with Dr. Wynns Samar as the head of the facility.

Photo source: Ligao City Planning and Development Office (CPDO)

Source:
Dr. Ana Cajanding
Oli Almazar, Nurse 2
Ligao City Health Office


Related Links:
Blog post | A City Hall for the upland
Profile | Barang Paulba, Ligao City
Ligao City | Health, Nutrition, and Sanitation

A City Hall for the upland

To make government services available in the upland barangays, the local government of Ligao City, in partnership with Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez, established the Ligao City Hall Annex at Paulba, Ligao City which opened on June 4, 2012.

With the establishment of the City Hall Annex, “people in the upland barangays don’t have to come down and do their businesses here in the City Hall,” said Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua. Frontline services are now available in the City Hall Annex. People can now apply for and get copies of birth certificates, inquire on the requirements for civil wedding, or request a National Statistics Office (NSO) copy of documents-through batch processing- without having to spend more time and money going to the City Hall or regional offices such as the NSO.

The City Hall Annex has representatives of offices that offer frontline services, according to Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua. These offices include the Local Civil Registrar (LCR), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), City Assessor’s Office, City Treasurer’s Office, and the Agriculture Office. There are representatives also assigned for burial, medical, and financial assistance. The representative office of the City Health Office (CHO), on the other hand, is located at the Paulba Infirmary just three meters away from the City Hall Annex.

The representatives of these offices travel every day from the City Hall to the City Hall Annex to cater the needs of the people in the upland barangays. Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua stated the need for new employees that would take over in the service for the City Hall Annex. “We are now considering hiring people na taga-doon din sa Paulba. So we just have to train them at sila na magte-take over doon para hindi na tayo naghahatid-sundo ng mga employees doon. [We are now considering hiring people from Paulba. So we just have to train them so they can later take over and the representatives no longer have to travel back and forth.], ” said Mayor Alsua.

With the opportunities that came with the establishment of the City Hall Annex, the local government also looks forward to having Paulba as the business center for the upland barangays in Ligao City. 

Related Links:

DILG ROV Director Blandino M. Maceda graces the opening and blessing of the Ligao City Hall Annex: Upland Central Extension Services Office