LGU – Pangasinan and USNS Mercy conduct TB Caravan

Lingayen – Hundreds of residents from Bayambang and Bautista towns benefitted from the 8^th TB Caravan of the present provincial administration conducted by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) in collaboration with the US Naval Ship Mercy Mission of the 2015 US Pacific Partnership at Bayambang Gymnasium on August 12.

American servicemen from the hospital ship USS Mercy strut their
Rock & Roll stuff recently before the wide eyed Pangasineneses
at the Robinson Mall in Calasiao, Pangasinan. 

            The residents, who underwent pre-screening prior to the activity, were provided with free-of-charge services on direct sputum smear microscopy (DSSM), chest x-ray examination, tubercolosis (TB) skin test, ‘kilatis kutis’ skin consultation and health teaching.

            The TB Caravan dubbed “Operation Suyod” (Integrated Itinerant Operation: Mopping Up of Presumptive TB and Leprosy Cases) was held in observance of the National Lung Month this August.

           

            Expressing support for the TB program of the national government, Provincial Health Officer 1 Cielo Almoite bared that “the provincial government led by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. has its trained doctors and medical experts who are ready to provide medical treatment for TB patients.”

            The province’s capability to eradicate infectious diseases, including TB, leprosy, leptospirosis and dengue, Almoite stressed, has been fully-supported by the provincial government as more LGUs in Pangasinan today have improved health facilities and equipment, sufficient medicine supply and competent medical staff in their Rural Health Units (RHUs).

            Meanwhile, Drake Tilley, Infectious Disease Physician of the US Navy, commended the public health department of the provincial government for its well-equipped health care services delivery system.  

            TB might be prevalent, but it is curable so you don’t have to hide, Tilley told the patients, even as he urged them to visit and get treated in health facilities.

            Dr. Tilley, along with US Navy doctors Toby Palmer (Lead Medical Entomologist), Derek Gagnon (Medical Doctor) and Steven Schutt (Environmental Health Officer), also visited the Bayambang District Hospital where they were welcomed by Dr. Nicolas Miguel, Chief of Hospital.

            In a show of support, Bayambang Mayor Ricardo Camacho thanked Governor Espino for catering to the medical needs of Pangasinenses through various programs implemented by the PHO that are supported by LGUs.

            Also present during the activity were: Dr. Jennifer Ann Wi, Co-Chairman of TB Regional Coordinating Committee; Dr. Myrna Miguel, Vice-Chairman of TB Provincial Coordinating Committee; Bayambang Municipal Health Officer (MHO) Paz Vallo and Ariel Aguilar, who represented the MHO of Bautista.

            Simultaneous with the TB caravan, the PHO also facilitated a mobile blood donation activity at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in Bolingit, San Carlos City, enjoining blood donors from the PPH inter-local health zone.

            /Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca