ANTIQUE — The Provincial Government of Antique, through the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO), has launched a province-wide free circumcision program aimed at providing accessible healthcare services to children and young boys ahead of the opening of classes.
The Province-Wide Libre Tuli Program, which runs from May 18 to June 5, covers 17 municipalities across the province, excluding the island municipality of Caluya. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with 17 rural health units, the Antique Medical Society, and the Manila-Antique Kinaadman Lions Club.
Gov. Paolo Javier encouraged parents and children to take advantage of the free medical service, emphasizing the provincial government’s commitment to bringing healthcare closer to communities.
“Ang gobyerno probinsyal nagapang-agda gid sa aton mga ginikanan kag kabataan nga mag-avail kang ini nga libre nga serbisyo. Kami mismo ang maparapit sa inyo mga kabanwahanan, so let’s take advantage of the program,” Javier said.
The program has already benefited 203 patients from the municipalities of Culasi and Tibiao during its first two days of implementation on May 18 and 19 at the Culasi District Hospital.
Health officials said a maximum of 100 patients per municipality will be accommodated during each scheduled activity.
The remaining circumcision missions will be conducted in various district and municipal hospitals across Antique, including facilities in Barbaza, Laua-an, Bugasong, Patnongon, Sibalom, Belison, San Remigio, Valderrama, Tobias Fornier, Anini-y, Libertad, Pandan, Sebaste, San Jose de Buenavista, and Hamtic.
The OPHO also reminded patients and their guardians to observe proper wound care following the procedure. Within the first 24 hours after circumcision, patients are advised to avoid getting the wound wet, refrain from strenuous physical activities, and clean the affected area with an antiseptic solution twice daily to prevent infection and promote healing.
Provincial health officials said the annual program forms part of the local government’s continuing efforts to improve community health services and ensure that essential medical procedures remain accessible and affordable to Antiqueños./PN
