ILOILO — The Department of Health (DOH) is intensifying barangay-level health access in Maasin town through its expanding PuroKalusugan initiative, which now delivers a full range of primary care services directly to households in underserved communities.
Positioned as a mobile extension of the country’s universal health care strategy, PuroKalusugan aims to close long-standing gaps in rural health access by bringing essential services — from immunization to HIV testing — straight to barangays, reducing travel costs, missed consultations, and barriers to early detection.
In its latest deployment, three barangays in Maasin reported significant gains:
* Barangay Magsaysay received expanded dental care, immunization services, and nutrition interventions — support DOH says is “crucial for preventing potential health issues and promoting overall well-being among children and families.”
* Barangay Nagba saw strong community turnout for HIV testing and advocacy, maternal care, NCD (Non-Communicable Disease) screening, and oral health education. These learning sessions, according to barangay health workers, have helped strengthen health-seeking behavior and household health literacy.
* Barangay Tigbuan benefited from reinforced NCD screenings and nutrition support, paired with workshops on healthy lifestyles to promote long-term wellness and early detection.
DOH officials stressed that the outreach is not merely about distributing services but building stronger, more compassionate local health systems. The program’s success, they said, hinges on coordination among LGUs, barangay health workers, and community partners to ensure interventions match the specific needs of each locality.
“Together, let us uphold the call for accessible, inclusive, and community-centered healthcare today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. A healthier Maasin begins with empowered communities. Let us move forward, united for health,” the DOH WV-CHD said in a public post.
The agency added that PuroKalusugan is designed to empower families and strengthen communities — the “foundation for a vibrant and healthy future.”
The initiative continues to roll out in more barangays as the DOH pushes for wider primary care coverage across Iloilo Province./PN
