The San Juan City government launched two programs aimed at promoting health and wellness among mothers and children in celebration of Nutrition Month.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, together with other city government officials, led the series of seminars and lectures conducted by the Rotary Club, doctors from San Juan Medical Center (SJMC), and the City Health Office (CHO), at the city hall atrium.
A total of 96 lactating women and pregnant moms participated in the program where they were given lessons on pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
"Tinuturuan po ang ating mga magulang kung paano ba maging healthy nanay lalong lalo na yung may mga newborn babies at kung paano ba nila tamang pangalagaan ang kanilang mga sarili (Our parents are being taught how to be healthy mothers especially those with newborn babies and how to take care of themselves properly)," Zamora said.
The city government also distributed newborn kits and P3,000 cash aid to the participants.
Zamora also joined 50 overweight kids and their parents in the Family Zumba event spearheaded by the CHO led by Dr. Mitzi Tanchoco.
Dubbed as "Zumba Time: The Family that Exercises Together, Stays Together," the program was held at the Pinaglabanan Shrine where city government officials and members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) also participated in.
"Gusto po natin na ang ating mga anak ay always strong and healthy, so ang programang ito na family zumba ay bahagi ng sinasabi nating "The family that exercises together, stays together." Ang pangangalaga natin sa ating mga katawan ay napakahalaga. We should always stay healthy, exercise, and if we can, we should always exercise together (We want to keep our children strong and healthy, so this program is a part of our belief that "The family that exercises together, stays together")," Zamora stressed.
Participating families also received P3,000 from the city government as financial assistance for their nutrition and wellness needs.
In June, San Juan City also launched its latest initiatives aimed at improving the health and wellness of its residents as part of its week-long celebration of the Wattah Wattah Festival commemorating the Feast of its patron saint, St. John the Baptist.
The HOPE Mobi-Clinic, in partnership with the Medical City, offered free digital mammography and consultations to women aged 50-64, who have controlled comorbidities, no known breast mass, and a family history of breast cancer. A total of 16 patients participated in its pilot run.
“Ako’y nagpapasalamat sa Medical City sa programang ito. Ito po ay bahagi ng ating adbokasiya na mabigyan ang ating mga kababaihan ng tamang kalusugan at edukasyon patungkol sa sakit ng breast cancer at tamang diagnostic at testing (I am grateful to the Medical City for supporting us in this program. This is part of our advocacy to provide our female San Juaneños proper health and education about breast cancer as well as free diagnostic and testing)," Zamora said.
He added that in case their test results were not favorable, the city government and the Medical City are prepared to assist them.
"In the coming weeks, the mobile clinic will be scheduled in different barangays so women who match the qualifications are encouraged to sign up and register to their barangays to get a slot," the mayor said.
Zamora also led the city's "Dugo ng San Juaneño, Para sa San Juaneño" blood donation drive where residents between 18 and 60 years old, with a clean bill of health, were invited to donate blood.
A total of 120 blood bags were collected in the said program.
According to the city government, the bloodletting activity is done every quarter in the city to ensure that there is enough blood supply for San Juaneños for free. This will help them save money that they can use for other hospital expenses.
“Sa lahat po ng nag-aalay ng dugo, maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. You are all heroes and we thank you for your blood donation. Yung dugo pong inyong iniaalay, ito po ang gagamitin natin kapag merong San Juanenong nangangailangan ng dugo. Ang lahat ng bag ng dugo na makukuha natin ay iimbakin natin upang kung may mangangailangan ay dito rin po tayo kukuha ng supply (To everyone who donated their blood, thank you very much. You are all heroes and we thank you for donating your blood. The blood that you've donated will be used for San Juaneños who will be in need of blood. All blood bags that we have collected will be properly stored for use whenever a resident will need it)," the mayor explained.