Health is wealth, a number one priority, comes first–it fosters us in becoming a healthy person, avoiding such diseases, and revitalizing us from an unhealthy world. But these words may not be applicable in a community where the majority are prone to different illnesses is children.
UNICEF Philippines stated that ninety-five (95) children in the Philippines die from malnutrition every day. Twenty-seven (27) out of 1,000 Filipino children do not get past their fifth birthday. A third of Filipino children are stunted or short for their age. Stunting after two years of age can be permanent, irreversible, and even fatal.
Along with its sustainable goals in fostering partnerships, good health, and well-being, the MSEUF Community Relations Department (CRS) with Medical and Dental Services (MDS), University Collegiate Student Council (UCSC) and students from the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences (CNAHS) and Mariners’ Exclusive Society (MES) has forged their community development partnership and medical mission activity at Dalahican Elementary School, Lucena City, Feb. 15.
Forging Partnership
Situated beside the seas and shores of the city, Brgy. Dalahican has been the chosen partner of the university’s medical mission activity. A mission of partnership with Dalahican Elementary School sets an opportunity for its elementary students’ medical and health needs.
“Ang Dalahican kasi talaga ay mahirap, kung in terms ng population, sila ang may pinakamaraming population dito. Hindi naman talaga gan’on ka well-off ang ibang tao rito, unlike sa talagang nasa city. Napakalaking kapakinabangan nito para sa kanila [students] dahil ‘yung mga magulang nila, minsan ay hindi talaga sila napapa-check up dahil na rin sa pinansyal na kakulangan,” said Ma’am Aireen Mergenio, Teacher III and Adopt-a-School coordinator of Dalahican Elementary School.
“Magsisilbi itong tulong sa kanila upang malaman kung may health problems talaga sila and in a way, magagamot nang kaunti, tapos makakatulong ito sa amin para masabi sa mga magulang nila kung ano ang kalagayan n’ung kanilang mga anak,” she added.
Just like the University’s current founding anniversary theme, “Beyond Borders,” the institution’s annual medical mission activity has continued to maintain and align its partnership goals, which benefit the communities outside the boundaries of Enverga University.
Light of Good Health
Bringing the light of good health to DES students is the core of this activity and sustaining its purpose for the children in the said school.
Having children for health assessment, vital sign procedures, consultation, and medicine-giving allowed them to have their health be their priority through MDS doctors, nurses, and assistance of nursing and medical technology students of CNAHS in the activity.
Touch of Well-Being
Maintaining well-being is also a partner in having good health. With this, students from the MES, CNAHS DSC, and UCSC provided sanitary products, orientation, and feeding programs in the said medical mission. Highlighting the importance of good hygiene and characteristics of having well-being touches every mind of children during the activity.
“Ang purpose nito is ‘yung community service na ibinibigay lagi ng ating university, then, ang purpose nito sa mga student lalo na sa mga bata ay natututukan natin sila habang sila ay bata pa lang para malaman natin kung ano ‘yung possible problems sa health nila, ‘yun para maagapan or to treat natin ‘yung sakit nila.”, Alliah Rozelle Avila, a nursing student, and UCSC CNAHS representative said in an interview.
She also conveyed that this year’s medical mission is focused only on students compared to last year’s activity for both adults of old age and children.
A Mission to Save Lives
While our country is still at the edge of malnutrition and illnesses, health response is in great need in these circumstances. Raising awareness and collaborating with health workers, volunteers, and organizations should be our next step.
Our role, whether we are a student, volunteers, and as a human, has crafted importance for those who need our help, creating a change for the community and embarking on a mission to save lives.
