VPHCS sustain health program in Sitios St. Mary Grace and Back of Matimco, expand to Barangay Canjulao

The health programs in Sitio St. Mary Grace, Talamban, Cebu City and Sitio Back of Matimco in Subangdaku, Mandaue City, have been sustained by its people’s organizations and health committees.

The St. Mary Grace Neighborhood Association and the Kaming Lumulupyo Walay Sandigan (KALUWASAN) through their community health workers (CHWs) have continued with their health activities to improve the health and welfare of their residents.

Health class in Sitio St. Mary Grace

Health education classes, health services and information drives have continued to this day. An herbal garden in St. Mary Grace is being cultivated to raise common herbs like lagundi for cough, tanglad, malunggay, and other plants with medicinal values. In Back of Matimco, the health workers have also made an ointment for skin infections from kalachuchi, malunggay and panyawan stems.

Health workers in Sitio Back of Matimco make kalachuchi, kamunggay, panyawan ointment from the plants

Health workers cultivate an herbal garden in Sitio St. Mary Grace

Meanwhile, the VPHCS has also expanded its CBHP endeavors to Barangay Canjulao, Lapu-lapu City recently. Meetings with the leaders of the people’s organization, Anakpawis – Canjulao Chapter, have been held and a community diagnosis survey of the barangay health problems conducted. From the problems identified, a basic health skills training was held on Oct. 27 – 29 to give knowledge and skills to the health workers to address the problems.

Health committee members in Canjulao, Lapu-lapu listen to VPHCS staff member Dr. Petty de Castro (not seen in photo)

The VPHCS has partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Bayan Muna Party-List in its CBHP building programs in urban poor communities in Cebu.