DOH kicks off free medical consultation, lab tests in Rizal province

The Department of Health (DOH) has launched on Wednesday the "Kalusugan mo ang Puso ng Pasko!" program that aims to provide free medical consultation and laboratory tests.

In a report by Mariz Umali on "24 Oras," some individuals lined up early to avail of the free medical services that include tests for cholesterol, blood sugar, uric acid, and urinalysis.

The activity, which was attended by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, was held at the Montalban Sports Complex in Rizal province.

According to DOH, it is essential to focus on primary health care, especially for senior citizens.

"Marami sa ating mga kababayan hindi nila alam na may nga sakit sila na hypertension, hindi nila alam mataas na pala yung cholesterol nila bigla na lang silang inaatake sa puso. Hindi nila alam may diabetes na pala sila,” DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire said.

(There are many of our countrymen who do not know they are hypertensive, they do not know they have high blood cholesterol levels and would suddenly have a heart attack. They do not know they are diabetic.)

“So itong mga ganitong klaseng serbisyo na nilalapit natin sa ating mga kababayan lalo na sa ating mga nakakatanda napaka-importante nito,” she added.

(These kinds of services that are made accessible to our countrymen, especially to the elderly, are very important.)

The aim of the program, which would be done in partnership with the local government, is to give the people access to basic services.

The First Lady said, "Hopefully, with the help of the local government and the DOH, this is one of the many many more projects that we will have to bring the service back to the people."

Meanwhile, since many Filipinos still need access to such programs, Vergeire said this project aims to help those in remote areas. -- Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News