The Navotas City government offered free cervical cancer screening and chest X-ray to its residents on Tuesday, May 17.
Around 220 women living in the city underwent visual inspection of cervix with acetic acid (VIA) screening test in 11 health centers, according to the city government.
"Due to the pandemic, our centers temporarily stopped providing VIA test every Tuesday. We have resumed this service in line with the celebration of the Cervical Cancer Consciousness Month and now that our COVID cases are low," Mayor Toby Tiangco said.
According to the local government, all the health centers in the city will accommodate around 10 to 20 patients for the cervical cancer screening every Tuesday, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, the city, in cooperation with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress, also offered free chest X-ray to its residents to boost the detection of different diseases like tuberculosis (TB).
It said that patients must be 15 years old and above to get the services.
They can register for the services in their respective barangays where a first come, first serve policy is implemented.
“Early detection serves a vital role in the effective treatment of a disease. We hope that by providing these services for free, Navoteños will be encouraged to get themselves tested and treated, if needed,” the mayor said.
Aside from the free medical services, the local government also provides P3,000 livelihood assistance to the TB patients who have already recovered or completed their treatment.