ILOILO City – In line with the celebration of National Women’s Month, the Iloilo City Government, through the Iloilo City Health Office (CHO), has rolled out “Healthy Ka, Ilongga!”, a one-stop integrated health service delivery program for women across the city’s nine district health centers from March 16 to 20.
The initiative aimed at making essential health services more accessible and convenient for Ilongga women by bringing together various services — from screening and consultations to preventive care — in a single visit, all offered free of charge.
Target beneficiaries include women of reproductive age, pregnant and postpartum mothers, adolescents, and senior citizens.
“Mayor Raisa S. Treñas has always emphasized the importance of accessible healthcare. Through this initiative, we want Ilongga women to feel supported and empowered to take care of their health,” said City Health Officer Dr. Mary Ann Poli-Diaz.
The services are available at nine district health centers in Jaro I Health Center (Washington St., Jaro), Jaro II District Health Center, Tanza District Health Center (Tanza Esperanza, City Proper), Sto. Rosario District Health Center (City Proper), Arevalo District Health Center (Arevalo), La Paz District Health Center, Lapuz District Health Center, Mandurriao District Health Center, and Molo District Health Center.
Poli-Diaz noted that women, mothers, and adolescents often face challenges in accessing multiple health services due to distance, time constraints, and limited awareness of available programs.
Through the one-stop service delivery, women can avail themselves of several health services in a single visit, including medical consultation, dental services, non-communicable disease (NCD) risk assessment, tuberculosis screening, family planning services, cervical cancer screening, and adolescent health assessment.
“Through this initiative, we hope to improve access to preventive healthcare, increase awareness on women’s health, and promote healthy lifestyles among Ilongga women,” said Mary Joy Rapadas, CHO Safe Motherhood Program Coordinator.
HIV testing will also be available, and referrals to appropriate health facilities will be facilitated when necessary.
Most of the services will likewise be made available to women employees of City Hall on March 25 through the City Hall Clinic.
The activity supports the goals of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) Program, as well as other public health initiatives of the City Health Office aimed at improving the overall health and well-being of women in Iloilo City.
“We encourage women, mothers, adolescents, and senior citizens to visit their nearest health center and take advantage of these free health services,” Rapadas added./PN
