DAVAO City mayoral candidate Karlo Nograles wants more barangay health stations set up and more nurses and midwives deployed across the city to address the “inconveniences and inequities” faced by poor Dabawenyos especially in relation to health.
Nograles also wants to promote better health education and instill the “prevention and early treatment mindset” among the city’s residents should he win in the election and become mayor.
Nograles is running against former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is now detained at the Netherlands where he is facing a crimes against humanity case before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a statement, Nograle said that while Davao is a large city with available healthcare, it is “not always accessible.”
“Now is the time to invest in a local health system that works – barangay by barangay, family by family,” he said as he outlined his plan to create an effective local health system that ensures easy and affordable access to health and medical services. Nograles said other than the provision of hospitals and other health and medical facilities, the city needs more barangay health stations and additional nurses and midwives to attend to the needs of the public especially those from far-flung barangays.
“Maraming Dabawenyo, kailangan pang bumyahe dahil walang maayos na health center sa kanilang komunidad, o di kaya napapagastos pa rin kahit sa mga karaniwang sakit dahil kulang sa medisina at iba pang medical supplies ang health facility (Many Dabawenyo still need to travel because there is no available health center in their community, or they have to spend more for medicines for ordinary ailments because the health facility in their area lack the medicine or medical supplies),” he said.
He said these expenses can be shouldered by the city government because it has the funds for it.
Nograles also plans to promote the “prevention and early treatment mindset” among Dabawenyos to promote better health.
He said that with the current summer season, for instance, people should be aware that as heat intensifies and water supplies tighten, diseases like diarrhea, dengue, and heat stroke become more common, especially among children and the elderly.
He said these illnesses are actually preventable “but only if there is consistent public health messaging, clean water access, and responsive frontline care.”
“If we are to have buy-in from our communities, we have to gain their trust. They must see city hall as a responsive institution they can turn to for all aspects of health, from information to consultation to treatment and infrastructure that will encourage them to pursue and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” he said.
Nograles also reminded the public that hunger and health are intertwined, citing as example that even if a child is well-fed, he or she is still at risk if he/she is unvaccinated.
He said the same applies to pregnant mothers who, while receiving food aid, can still become vulnerable if she is unable to access prenatal care including regular check ups.
