By Francis Wakefield
The Provincial Department of Health Office (DOH) of Nueva Ecija in partnership with the Army's 69th Infantry (Cougar) Battalion, recently conducted the Bayanihan Measles Outbreak Response in the Municipalities of Aliaga and Quezon of Nueva Ecija.
The outbreak of measles cases that hit the Central Luzon area includes the province of Nueva Ecija which prompted the Provincial DOH Office to launch its campaign, Bayanihan Measles Outbreak Response.
Headed by Dr. Erwin Santiago, the Provincial DOH Officer of Nueva Ecija, the medical service will help prevent and control the increase of cases of Measles in the whole province.
During a coordination meeting last March 7, 2019, Dr. Santiago requested military assistance through Lieutenant Colonel Arcadio S. Posada, the Commanding Officer of the 69th IB, to help in accomplishing the Provincial DOH plans and programs in the conduct of their vaccination immunization activities.
During the conduct of the Bayanihan Measles Outbreak Response, members from the Provincial DOH and Municipal Rural Health Unit of Aliaga and Quezon simultaneously gathered at their respective RHU offices in preparation for the said activity. Health workers and Nurses from different Municipal RHUs were also present to participate in the BAYANIHAN activity.
Troops of the 69th IB provided transportation assistance during the deployment of vaccinating teams and conducted area security during the house to house visitations and vaccination for children ranging from six to 59 months old.
Barangays Sta. Rita, Dulong Bayan, Ilog Baliwag, San Andres II, Sta. Clara and Brgy. Uno, all of Quezon, Nueva Ecija were visited and 250 children were vaccinated. In Aliaga, Barangays Poblacion East, Bibiclat and Sto. Rosario had a total of 150 children vaccinated.
The day-long activity ended at around 5:30 in the afternoon.
Major General Lenard T. Agustin the Commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, expressed his gratitude to the Provincial DOH of Nueva Ecija for involving the troops of 7th ID in such a worthy endeavor.
“It is through the delivery of basic services, especially in far-flung areas, that the people get to feel the concern of the government. And we thank Dr. Santiago and his team for giving us the opportunity to show the people that we, in the Army, truly care,” Agustin said.
Posada commended the members of the Provincial DOH for their commitment and hard work in delivering basic services to the populace.
He also said that the 69th IB Troopers is always ready to help different organizations in responding to the needs of the people.