DOH brings ‘PuroKalusugan’ closer to Siargao town communities
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — To intensify universal healthcare access for all, the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga, in partnership with the local government unit (LGU) of General Luna in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, through its Municipal Health Office (MHO), recently launched the ‘PuroKalusugan’ program.
PuroKalusugan, coined from the words ‘purok’ or cluster of households in the barangay, and ‘kalusugan’ which means health, is a community-based healthcare initiative designed to dismantle geographical and financial barriers to medical care.
By transforming how public health is delivered, the program ensures that high-quality, comprehensive, and preventive healthcare services are brought straight to the doorsteps of residents at the barangay and in purok levels—completely free of charge. It also specifically targets both mainland communities and far-flung island areas that traditionally face logistical challenges in accessing the main rural health unit (RHU).
DOH-CHD Caraga shared the initial implementation phase of the program, where the mobile medical teams conducted comprehensive health outreach services in the barangays of Tawin-Tawin, Magsaysay, Sta. Fe, Catangnan, Auyangan, La Januza, and Anajawan.
By visiting these critical areas, the program did not just treat existing ailments; it actively promoted health literacy, empowering residents with knowledge on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle choices.
To address the diverse medical needs of the community, the PuroKalusugan deployed a wide range of free diagnostic, maternal, pediatric, and adult medical services, such as general medical and diagnostic services; targeted consultations; specialized medical check-ups tailored for pediatric, adult, geriatric or elderly, and pregnant patients; vital monitoring; and routine blood pressure screening to detect and manage hypertension.
Also, services included the point-of-care testing: immediate screening for random blood sugar (RBS), uric acid, and cholesterol levels to catch metabolic and cardiovascular risks early; maternal care and family planning; prenatal consultations and comprehensive maternal care services to ensure safe pregnancies and healthy deliveries; professional counseling and regular monitoring to support reproductive health choices; and the child health services.
Protecting the youth remains a core pillar of the initiative, which rolled out vital pediatric interventions, including routine childhood immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases; Vitamin A supplementation and regular deworming; Direct breastfeeding support and nutrition counseling for mothers; Auxiliary Support & Social Protection; and Free Pharmacy Services, such as immediate distribution of prescribed essential medicines and vitamins.
PhilHealth facilitates on-site registration and membership assistance to secure long-term financial risk protection for health, and Operation Tuli, or free circumcision for young boys in communities.
Mayor Johnson Y. Sajulga emphasized that healthcare does not stop after the medical caravan leaves, and to guarantee continuity of care, essential medicines and follow-up treatments remain readily available at the rural health unit (RHU) through the sustained Serbisyong Tama Program.
“This ensures that patients diagnosed during the PuroKalusugan caravans have an uninterrupted supply of the maintenance medications they need.” Mayor Sajulga said.
Meanwhile, Nanay Leonila said, “Dahil sa programang ito, mas naging panatag ang aming mga isip. Mas masigla ang aming mga pamilya at mas may lakas kaming magtrabaho at mag-aral araw-araw dahil alam naming malusog at ligtas kami.”
(Because of this program, we have peace of mind. Our families are healthier, and we have more energy to work, and children are more inspired to study everyday because we know we are healthy and safe.)
The rollout of the program on PuroKalusugan is just getting started. In the coming months, the MHO and LGU teams will continue their deployment to cover all remaining barangays across General Luna, ensuring no citizen is left behind.
Through progressive initiatives like PuroKalusugan, DOH-CHD Caraga, in partnership with LGU General Luna, solidifies its unwavering commitment to building healthier and more resilient communities, as mandated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through responsive, accessible, and deep people-centered public service. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with LGU General Luna)
