Tanudan LGU improves isolated communities’ access to health care services

Tanudan, Kalinga – The people of Tanudan will now get to enjoy an upgraded healthcare system through the Municipal Local Government Unit’s 'Supporting Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA)’ project.

The Supporting GIDA project was proposed in 2023 by the MLGU, headed by Mayor Jaedicke Rhoss Dagadag, through the Municipal Health Office led by Dr. Sandra Valledor to bridge the healthcare gaps and enhance facilities in Tanudan.

According to Municipal Health Officer (MHO) Valledor, 15 out of 16 barangays in the municipality are classified as GIDA, describing them as having difficulty accessing infrastructure, transportation, and basic health services.

This prompted her to push for the Supporting GIDA project, where the Department of Health Central Office visited every barangay in Tanudan and found out that the pressing issues being faced by the communities include health facilities that need upgrading and renovation, inadequate training of barangay health workers (BHW), lack of medical equipment, and insufficient nurse or midwife assigned to their areas.

After validation, the DOH approved the project and allotted P250,000 funding for its implementation.

Support to GIDA Project Coverage

Valledor relayed that part of the project is the procurement of medical equipment for primary care services such as BP apparatus sets, thermometers, pulse oximeters, weighing scales, and height boards for the BHWs.

Likewise, included in the proposed activity is the BHW manual training to refresh them on their roles and responsibilities and to equip them in delivering quality health services in their respective barangays.

With the project, the MHO believes that the people in Tanudan, especially those in isolated places, will experience improved healthcare services in their areas.

“Through this Support to GIDA project, the quality, delivery, and accessibility of health services that are being given to the people of Tanudan will be improved,” Valledor said.