ILOILO City – More than 11,500 residents, mostly children, have received life-saving vaccines under the Department of Health’s (DOH) community-based PuroKalusugan initiative, as health authorities intensify efforts to prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases across Western Visayas.
DOH Region 6 reported that a cumulative total of 11,506 clients benefited from immunization services under the program in 2025, with health officials crediting the initiative’s localized approach for helping bring healthcare services closer to underserved communities.
The vaccination campaign covered 169 priority barangays across the region, with the largest number of beneficiaries recorded in Capiz, followed by Aklan, Antique, Iloilo Province, Guimaras, and Iloilo City.
According to John Michael Añes, Senior Health Program Officer of the Local Health Systems Coordination Section of DOH-6, the initiative is designed to address health concerns at the community level.
“This initiative is designed to elevate primary healthcare services by honing in on the specific needs of individual puroks and sitios. By prioritizing local health concerns, we can deliver services that resonate with the unique challenges faced by different communities,” he emphasized.
DOH-6 data showed that 6,036 clients were served in Capiz; 1,972 in Aklan; 1,669 in Antique; 1,367 in Iloilo Province; 348 in Guimaras; and 114 in Iloilo City.
The agency said the program has become a key strategy in strengthening primary healthcare services, particularly in remote and underserved areas where access to medical services remains limited. Aside from immunization, PuroKalusugan provides regular health check-ups, maternal and child health services, and community health education activities.
Under the National Immunization Program, vaccines are provided free of charge, including Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), Hepatitis B, Pentavalent, Oral Polio Vaccine, Inactivated Polio Vaccine, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, and Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccines.
“By introducing these free vaccinations, we aim to decrease vaccine refusal rates among our communities. This initiative encourages mothers and parents to have their children immunized,” Añes said.
Health officials stressed that vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect children from infectious diseases and prevent community-wide outbreaks.
DOH-6 noted that the initiative supports the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act by improving healthcare accessibility while addressing persistent challenges such as vaccine hesitancy through information and education campaigns.
As the program continues, the agency said it will regularly assess the initiative’s impact and work closely with local government units, healthcare workers, community leaders and residents to sustain gains in public health./PN
