BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio Day Health Fair mounted last Aug. 27 at the Baguio Convention Center benefitted a total of 829 residents.
The health education program offered interactive activities aimed at implementing health risk assessments, information-education-communication (IEC) strategies on health living practices and at demonstrating family commitment to health and well-being.
The activity theme was “All-Out War against Diseases for a Healthy Baguio.”
City health officer Dr. Rowena Galpo said at total of 829 participated in the program while 75 more came to join the activities offered.
Ten booths were set up which showcased the different programs and services of the city health services offices particularly on infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, child and adolescent health, men and women’s health, dental health, traditional medicine, spiritual counseling and prohibited drugs.
Three other booths were also put up by private partners that offered other essential services.
All of the participants were issued first aid kits.
To increase dengue awareness, continuous film showing on dengue prevention was done while insecticide-treated curtain, caricature of the aedes aegypti mosquito, insect-reprellant plants like Citronella and Rosemary and Tawa-tawa were put on display while the actual visualization of the life cycle of the aedes aegypti mosquito through the microscope was also presented.
Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and sexually transmitted disease (STD) awareness and counseling programs were also conducted. There were four youths who voluntarily availed of the HIV tests.
The Bonjing corner was also set up to promote adolescent health through e-inquiry website for young people. Bonjing booklets of the frequently asked questions from the youth were distributed.
Traditional medicine was also promoted including massage, cupping or ventosa and acupuncture. There was display and tutorial on the preparation of herbal medicines.
On drug abuse, IEC materials were distributed and counseling was conducted with intermission number from mascots of the Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and short talk by PSupt. Denver Alidao on the Laban Kontra Droga.
On child and adolescent care, there were educational games, diet counseling, promotion of breastfeeding and lactation breast massage demo by the Under-Five Clinic staff.
For family planning, there were counseling, film showing on the proper use of condom, dispensing of family planning commodities and lectures.
On dental services, a film showing on the proper way of brushing and distribution of dental freebies were conducted.
For eye care, there were eye screening, error of refraction, diabetes screening and distribution of free eye glasses courtesy of the Lions Club.
The fair also featured spiritual counseling by the Worldwide Church of God, free flu and pneumococcal vaccines for senior citizens, chiropractic massage, blood pressure check- up, distribution of giveaways for hygiene and sanitation and health flyers by the ABC 360 and hand washing demonstration and freebie distribution by the ACS Manufacturing Corporation.
The activity is in line with the celebration of the 107th Baguio City charter anniversary with the theme, “Fostering Meaningful Change through Synergy and Cooperation.”/Aileen P. Refuerzo
