BACOLOD CITY – Three upland barangays in the municipality of E.B. Magalona have been selected as initial beneficiaries of PuroKalusugan, a flagship health program of the Department of Health (DOH) designed to bring essential medical services directly to communities.
The pilot barangays are San Isidro, Canlusong and Consing, whose residents will receive free healthcare services every Tuesday through this initiative.
The program was officially launched on April 10 in Barangay San Isidro under the theme “PuroKalusugan sa E.B. Magalona, Purok ang Bida, Aksyon Na!”
The launch was attended by municipal and barangay officials, along with personnel from the DOH, Provincial Health Office (PHO) and Municipal Health Office (MHO).
Present at the event were Mayor Marvin Malacon, Vice Mayor Eric Matulac, and officials from Barangays San Isidro, Canlusong and Consing, including Punong Barangay Ronnie Loro, Punong Barangay Cherry Mae Marquilencia and Kagawad Rhea Cornelio.
They were joined by DOH personnel, including Dr. Fritzwarren Recto of the Doctors to the Barrios Program; Dr. Ezeneth Nadado of the Dentists Deployment Program; John Michael Millan, Joyal Amante and Nicole Ann Sales Diaz of the Nurses Deployment Program.
Also in attendance were Development Management Officers Caroline Tumabotabo, Candelaria Salem and Joylen Demerin of the Provincial/City DOH Office; pharmacists Jernalyn Marie Bernadas and Marielle Lyn Sadio; and PHO doctors Girlie Pinongan, Jessica Fama, Ariane Javier, Crislyn Gepigon, Jaya Eris and Nicea Jerez.
Other guests included Gwyneth Louis Galimba of Relief International, MHO personnel and Kris Anthony Sarmiento from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Research and Planning unit.
Free Health Services Offered
PuroKalusugan is a combination of the words “purok” (zone) and “kalusugan” (health), symbolizing the program’s goal of promoting holistic health at the community level.
The initiative forms part of the DOH’s Eight-Point Action Agenda, which focuses on key public health priorities: vaccination, nutrition, water sanitation, maternal health, tuberculosis and HIV screening, road safety, prevention of non-communicable diseases, and cancer treatment.
Through PuroKalusugan, residents can access free medical services, including maternal and child healthcare, vaccination programs, water and sanitation education, nutrition and wellness support, TB and HIV control, chronic disease screening, and dental and vision care.
The DOH said the program is aimed at reducing health disparities and improving access to primary care in underserved areas, particularly at the purok level, in pursuit of universal health coverage.
