Over 1,000 benefit from Session Road health booths
A total of 1,066 individuals were served by the City Health Services Office’s health advocacy booths set up during the Session Road in Bloom segment of the Panagbenga.
The CHSO said a total of 529 individuals subjected themselves to HIV screening where three were found reactive to the virus.
Aside from providing free HIV testing services, the booth also served information, free condoms and lubricants with the aim of reaching people who may be hesitant to take tests in traditional health care facilities.
The said booth was organized in partnership with the Baguio General Hospital, Notre Dame de Chartres Hospital and two community centers, Marvi by LoveYourself and the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) Baguio.
For the smoke-free campaign booth which promoted the department’s smoke cessation program, a total of 137 people enrolled in the smoke cessation program indicating success of the booth in raising awareness about the harmful effects of smoking and supporting individuals who want to quit.
The mental awareness campaign booth which was set up with the help of the Anxiety and Depression Support Group-Baguio Youth Volunteers aimed to raise awareness about mental health, promote a more supportive and compassionate community and provide a safe and welcoming space for people to learn about mental health, seek support and connect with others.
The booth was a hit as 400 residents and non-residents sought consultation.
The support group also raised funds for their future mental awareness projects by opening an “Ukay-Ukay,” distributed free brochures containing information about different mental disorders, offered a free picture-taking booth, a freedom wall, and a bowl of free words of affirmation that contained quotes and positivity to uplift and inspire visitors.
Another booth, the COVID-19 vaccination booth, succeeded in providing accessible services to those in need by providing vaccination to the community in Session in Bloom, contributing to the overall efforts to control the spread of COVID-19.
These initiatives demonstrate the positive impact of community outreach and advocacy campaigns in promoting public health and well-being. Small actions, like providing accessible testing and education, creating safe spaces for mental health support, and offering vaccination sessions, can create big change. By working together, healthcare providers and community centers can help promote public health and provide much-needed resources and support to those in need. – Joshua Caramoan, Aileen Refuerzo
