The Korea Foundation for International Health Care (KOFIH) has funded an initiative of the provincial government to provide free health services to indigenous peoples (IP) in Palawan, starting in Rizal municipality.
KOFIH provided funds for the province’s IP Health Caravan which recently benefited some 200 Pala’wan residents in Barangays Bunog, Iraan, Campung Ulay, and Punta Baja in Rizal, said Pamela Garcia, nurse IV of the Provincial Health Office.
Garcia said this caravan went to provide free health services on October 28-29, 2019 to Rizal.
“Nag-materialize itong activity natin because of KOFIH na siyang partner natin sa implementation ng programs dito sa Palawan. Ang ginawa natin ay nag-propose tayo ng project sa kanila through the initiatives ng KOFIH Global Alumni. So kasama tayo doon sa binigyan nila ng training program last time and we are very thankful na na- approved ‘yong proposal natin kaya mayroon tayong health caravan ngayon dito,” Garcia said.
Garcia explained that the KOFIH Global Alumni (KGA)-Palawan Group connected the health caravan for the IPs, making Palawan the first province to become a beneficiary.
Most KOFIH members are employees of the PHO, she said.
Among the services received by the Rizal IPs were nutrition, childcare, family, and pregnancy lectures, blood smearing for malaria parasite, tuberculosis tests, medical consultation, free dental services for children and senior citizens, and distribution of hygiene kits, food packs, and vitamins.
“Nagpapasalamat kami dahil ang Rizal ang napili nila na maging beneficiary ng pograma nila. Kasi dito sa Rizal nasa 50% ng residente namin ay mga IP’s kaya mahirap talaga kung sa amin sa RHU ‘yong services, kaya ang mga ganitong programa ay malaking tulong sa amin,” said Rutchel Laborera, head nurse of the rural health unit (RHU) in Rizal.
The activity was done in partnership also with the Rizal municipal government, Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., and Kilusan Ligtas Malaria (KLM).
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