Davao region receives mobile health van

The Department of Health – Davao Center for Health Development (DCHD) has received a Mobile Health and Wellness Services CaraVan from the Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) in a turn over ceremony at the Pinnacle Hotel here on Thursday.

An initiative under the PSFI’s Philippines Response in Optimizing Testing, Empowered Communities, Treatment and Sustainability (PROTECTS) project, the mobile clinic will be used to deliver health services to the rural areas in Davao Region with a focus on HIV program services, including distribution of preventative medication against HIV, HIV testing and screening, antiretroviral therapy refill, among others.

The P3.8 million vehicle has a full-clinic set-up with a laboratory, consultation and examination area, and a comfort room.

Present during the turnover rites are DOH Usec. for Visayas and Mindanao Dr. Abdullah Dumama Jr., PSFI Deputy Executive Director Marvi Trudeau, DOH XI Director Dr. Annabelle Yumang, DOH XI Program Manager Ma. Teresa Requillo, City Councilor Richlyn Justol-Baguilod, City Information Office officer-in-charge Harvey Lanticse, various civil society organizations, and other public officials.

Yumang said the DOH will be installing additional medical equipment such as an X-ray machine and other testing apparatus to the vehicle. She said the mobile clinic will be a big help in reaching far-flung areas in the region that are most in need of community outreach programs and medical missions from the health sector.

City Health Office head Dr. Ashley Lopez said the mobile clinic will be a big help in the local government’s efforts in delivering quality healthcare services to far-flung communities in the city. He said that the City Government of Davao has “acknowledged the importance of mobilization in reaching the community.”

“We have also procured a P14-million mobile clinic which is a bus. Because ‘yong concept ng mobile clinic that is being procured by the city will contain a minor operating room, laboratory, may ultrasound and chest X-ray machine. That is why when I heard about this turnover, I was so glad because I know, and I’m sure, this will be a big help, especially in the augmentation of our operations, especially on the field,” Lopez added. CIO