by Neil M. Martin
The Institute’s College of Nursing, Institute clinic, and the Mayor’s office of Iligan City in cooperation with the City Health Office (CHO) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Iligan launched the culmination of “Sagip-Piitan Health Initiative (Phase 1)” on August 6, 2014 at BJMP, Tipanoy.
The goals of the said initiative were commenced on July 14, 2014 by the 4th year students and clinical instructors of the College with the assistance of the BJMP-Iligan officers. Initially, health assessments and check-ups were conducted with the help of Dr. Muhammad Putting, from the Institute clinic, and a representative physician from the CHO. The “housemates” were then provided medications to suffice their needs.
Health education conducted by the students and instructors focused on proper hand washing, proper hygiene, wound care, infection control, and stress management as these were the problems commonly observed and should be prioritized during the ocular visit. Blood Typing, necessary for Hepatitis B screening and immunization, benefited 371 and 448 housemates respectively. Technology transfer activities such as making Akapulko Ointment and Camonade Juice were also conducted through demonstrations by the students and return demonstrations by the housemates. Forty housemates benefited from the Akapulko ointment and were followed up two weeks after its application which yielded good results.
The half-day culminating activity was opened by Prof. Clowe D. Jondonero, Dean of the College of Nursing.
“This is just Phase 1 so there’s more to come,” he said.
This was followed by a message of gratitude and inspiration from Mr. Melchor Alquizola, chief of staff of the City Mayor’s office. Presentation of results and findings on initial health assessment were then discussed by selected 4th year students.
The discussion focused on the housemates’ demographic profile which consisted of 400 males and 53 females, and top 10 morbidity cases experienced by the housemates. The list was topped by 172 cases of cough and colds, followed by 92 cases of headache, and 33 cases of skin itchiness. These findings were given appropriate interventions by CON faculty and students. These were validated by SJO3 Glenn L. Tinaan, chief custodian/jail nurse of BJMP-Iligan. He also thanked the people behind this initiative which he did not expect to be on such a large scale. He also expressed that it has greatly helped the housemates.
Responses were given by Dr. Jinky Bornales, Institute Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension; Dr. Cherlina C. Canaveral, City Health Officer II-, Iligan; Ms. Sonia Diosana, Jail matters volunteer CSWD/ Parole and Probation officer, City Mayor’s Office, Iligan; and a councilor from Brgy. Tipanoy. Giving of certificates then followed.
Selected housemates expressed their gratitude as they conveyed their responses to the organizers of the initiative. The closing remarks was done by Jail Officer Manuel.
The Phase 2 and 3 of the said initiative will be conducted on the next semester and summer of academic year 2014-2015.
Topics : health science Sagip-Piitan