The Department of Health, in cooperation with the Local Government Unit of Iriga launches the Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan Caravan with the theme “ Uda Barayaan sa Biyaheng Salud.” This project was launched in line with the Aquino Health Agenda to provide universal access to health care with the objective of delivering basic health services to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) targeting pregnant women and children. The LBK Caravan is a mobile clinic which provides services such as maternal and child health care and counseling services. For 2011, ten provinces were selected as “stops” for the caravan. For every stop, the caravan offers interactive health exhibits, videos, concerts, storytelling sessions, and other fun activities with the intention of educating people about basic health care. In their stop at Iriga City, the activity was  started with a parade around the City proper and after which the exhibit and health classes was formally opened with a ribbon cutting by the City Mayor, Hon. Ronald Felix Y. Alfelor and Ms. Noemi Bron, HEPO III, Health promotion Unit of the Department of Health.

The classes were  organized according to the priority health needs of the Iriguenos. Maternal Care (Pre- Natal Check Up) Safe Motherhood and Breastfeeding Class, Child Health Nutrition, Rabies Prevention, Disaster Preparedness, Anti-Dengue Campaign, KATROPA class, Family Planning, Youth Classes, AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases prevention class, Tuberculosis Prevention Class, Smoke free Campaign,Philhealth information booth and Medical Check Up. In each booth were trained health personnel from different Health offices- Department of Health – City Veterinarian Office and City Health Office. All participants should attend at least 7 classes to complete the expected target for the day to redeem their freebies.

On the afternoon session, a pageant for pregnant women was held. Fourteen expectant mothers show their best to win the Ms. Photogenic, Darling of the Crowd and the title Ms. LBK Preggy 2015.

The closing ceremony was filled with gratitude that was given by the head of the City Health Office, Dr. Ronald Perena. All was worth the effort! Congratulations to the Local Government Unit of Iriga thru the dynamic Mayor Ronald Felix Y. ALfelor and to the City Health Office staffs, Nurse Deployment Iriga Team- Louella Alferez Jayson V. Belleza Kenny Niño Hermogeno Tagum Leah De Lima Talaguit Inah Milanay RohweeNah Gonzales Sabrina Fontanilla ,in leadership of Dr. Ronald Perena and Dr. Romer Trinidad.

Thanks too, to the LBK team, to Ms. Noime Bron, Dr. Wilfredo Banequid and the PHO staffs, to BMC- Family Planning Unit team, Population Commission- Regional Office, to our DMO- Mrs. Imelda Dacanay and Ms. Josephine Battala and to our PDOH leader Dr. Rey Millena and most especially to our ever supportive Mayor Ronald Felix Alfelor and to everyone who had been a part of this milestone, Thank you.

Walang Iwanan sa Biyaheng Kalusugan- Iriga

Article Submitted by: Renee Mae Gadil, City Health