The residents of Barangay Mapula in Paquibato District availed of various free medical services and received food packs in a community outreach hosted by the Department of Science and Technology Region XI (DOST XI) in collaboration with Davao City’s Health Office and the Philippine Army.
“We are very thankful because since the pandemic, we have not received any programs like this in our small community,” said Kagawad Roel Roslinda during the conduct of the activity on August 18, 2022.
The medical mission included free medical checkups, distribution of medicines to qualified residents, free circumcision conducted by the 27th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, and COVID-19 vaccination.
The team was able to assist a large number of the residents with the use of RXBox, a multi-component program designed by DOST which can test the heart’s electrical activity, read blood pressure, measure the oxygen level of the blood, read temperature and monitor the fetal heart rate and fetal movement.
The Agency also distributed five kilos of brown rice per family of the indigent residents and 20 Enhanced Nutribuns which were initially developed by DOST-FNRI to address hunger and malnutrition.
Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte who was represented by Davao City 2nd District Councilor Richlyn Justol-Baguilod extended his message of gratitude to DOST XI and the Philippine Army for spearheading the community activity and affirmed that the City Government of Davao will continue to support the programs to improve the lives of the people in the years to come.
“We are grateful for your commitment and support to the communities, especially in far-flung areas here in Davao City,” he added.
DOST XI City Science and Technology Office Head Mr. Arnel M. Rodriguez also thanked all the stakeholders who committed to the smooth implementation of the activity.
“Hopefully you will appreciate this activity and be able to impart to other communities what transpired here so that they will also be aware of DOST’s programs,” he added.
The activity is under the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology program of DOST directed to empower progressive and resilient communities through various Science, Technology, and Innovation initiatives and strengthen communities’ health and nutrition, water and sanitation, livelihood and enterprise, education, and disaster risk reduction and management.
