Department of Health Officer-in-Charge Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire, together with other DOH officials and Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron, led the vaccination activity of “Chikiting Ligtas 2023″: Join the Big Catch Up, Magpabakuna para sa Healthy Pilipinas!” in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
During the activity, several children accompanied by their parents were vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, rubella, and polio – further emphasizing the given benefits of vaccination.
Through a whole-of-society approach, the DOH is bringing vaccination closer to Filipinos all over the country.
“Indeed, this activity is part of our campaign in Puerto Princesa City that will give the children the protection needed to combat measles, rubella, and polio. That is why we encourage everyone to join the big catch up and get their children vaccinated,” Vergeire explained.
“This activity is part of our campaign in Puerto Princesa City that will give the children the protection needed to combat measles, rubella, and polio.”
Vergeire and Bayron have discussed the current health concerns and possible ways to fully utilize their human resources for health geared towards realizing Universal Health Care within the province.
In the meeting, both parties discussed initiatives that the local government can explore to further bolster healthcare delivery within the province.
Projects such as the upgrading of the Ospital ng Palawan to Level III will pave the way for the hospital to provide medical students in Puerto Princesa a facility to train in – further addressing the province’s gap in human resources for health.
Vergeire lauded the local government’s effort to provide each Palaweño eased access to healthcare services, especially its efforts in providing medical services through their enhanced satellite clinic equipped with a birthing facility and other laboratory equipment.
The province also has several equipment that continuously provide Palaweños with eased delivery of healthcare services such as mobile dental and testing vans.
Puerto Princesa has several ongoing projects such as the establishment of its city health center, to which DOH will provide support. Other projects will be supported through policy and technical assistance.
She also emphasized the importance of developing policies that are geared towards achieving a mixed public-private local health systems network, which can greatly aid in strengthening the referral system to higher levels of hospitals.
Relevant topics such as addressing the social determinants of health like water safety and the environment were also discussed.
“We would like to recognize the efforts of Puerto Princesa City in providing its citizens with quality healthcare delivery within the region.”
“We would like to recognize the efforts of Puerto Princesa City in providing its citizens with quality healthcare delivery within the region, especially in the last two years of the pandemic. Indeed, various opportunities for growth are evident. That is why, through collaborative efforts, we shall work together to fully realize UHC for every Palawenyo,” Vergeire concluded.
