THE Department of Health (DOH) in Mimaropa recently launched its health caravan for indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples (IPs) simultaneous with the opening of the “Balay Mangyan Para sa Kaunlaran at Kalusugan” at Sitio Banti, Barangay San Roque, in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro.
“We would like to make basic healthcare services available, and also culture sensitive. Most important is to ensure the sustainability of health-care delivery among our indigenous communities in the region,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said.
He said indigenous communities’ concept of health and healing “is similar to western modalities, but with more emphasis on traditional healing, which plays a significant part in their healing strategies.”
It is for this reason that DOH-Mimaropa employed indigenous staff at the “Balay Mangyan Health Center,” including a nurse, midwives and a staff to manage the facility. It was opened on October 26.
Funds for the improvement of the heath center came from the Health Facilities Development Project of the DOH.
Janairo said the number of indigenous patients attending the health center has increased, knowing their health care is being managed and treated by their own within the community.
He said IPs have difficulties accessing appropriate primary health-care services because they reside in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas often isolated due certain physical factors, such as distance, transportation and even weather conditions.
“Because of these, common illnesses like diarrhea, skin disease, vector-borne and infectious diseases and other health concerns, including unsafe birthing practices in their community,” he said. “The objective of the health caravan is to bring health-care services and provide the necessary health services, relevant information and commodities instead of obliging them to come down from the mountains or hike dozens of kilometers just to visit a health center in the municipality.”
The caravan served 766 individuals, including 70 families from various tribes of Mangyan in the municipality of Bulalacao. Health services include blood testing and screening and medical check-up.
Medicines and vitamins for children and hygiene kits were also given to families during the event.
Janairo said the health caravan will be rolled out in all provinces with IP communities next year.