The GOINnitiaive: First Aid and BLS Training

One of the highlights of the medical students’ exposure this month is the conduction of a First Aid and BLS Training of volunteer participants. The activity was managed by the medical students of sister barangay Goaw, and the medical students of barangay Goin.

Both groups have planned the activity for days. Committees of the program were made and roles were equally designated to each member of the groups. Preparations began 5 days prior to the workshop training.

The first aid and BLS training strategy falls under the health plan of Hypertension which is managed by Apple Mae Roullo and Zain Al-Abiddin Nuruddin. Doctor Nuruddin served as the supervisor and informant of the GOINnovategroup regarding the plan of activitieswhich is discussed with the members of the GinlawGoaw group. Doctor Roullo collaborated with Barangay Goin’s head of the Health Committee, Hon. Felix Villanueva, in recruiting volunteer participants for the workshop training.

On the 18th of October, the GOINnovate group kicked off the start of the program with 14 Goin participants and God’s blessing.

The program started at 10:00AM. The participants took a pre-test on First Aid and BLS prior to the start of the workshop proper.

 

The program was a success and ended at 3:00 PM. Recognition for the invaluable support of the trainers were given. The participants also received certificates of their participation. 

 

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Garantisadong Pambata & Operasyon Timbang

One of the perks of staying in the community for a month is having the privilege to serve the people. It is a sure thing that everybody in this group of medical students adore children, both the toothless and rapscallions.

Garantisadong Pambata and Operasyon Timbang are both conducted every month and spearheaded by the Barangay Health Worker, Mrs. Bernardita Andamon and the Barangay Nutrition Scholar Mrs. Miriam Dean. Both of them work hand in hand in monitoring the growth of the little ones and making sure that they receive their recommended doses of vitamins and supplements.

GOINnovate has excitedly volunteered to assist Mrs. Andamon and Mrs. Dean in this endeavor last October 15th.

Apart from the servicing, the medical students made sure to obtain the growth progress of the children by reading with the BHW and BNS. The data would sufficiently help in monitoring the improvement of the children’s health status for the future strategies of the Malnutrition health plan.

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Water Sampling

The number one health problem identified in the community of Goin is the poor sanitation of water sources and unsafe drinking water. Ralph Renon T. Casamayor, who heads the health plan, has taken a step forward in implementing the strategies.

Samples of the water located in “tabays” in the different districts was obtained. The samples were carefully taken and placed in a container to be sent to the Department of Science and Technology in Zamboanga City to be examined for presence or absence of microbial elements that could be detriment to the health of its users.

The specimens were successfully sent for examination. Results of the tests are now being awaited.

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Hypertension Health Teaching

Following the house to house mass blood pressure taking, a health teaching plan was constructed by Apple Mae Roullo on the 14th of October. Residents of different clusters gathered in the barangay hall to attend the montly Family Development Sessions headed by the MSWD. Doctor Roullo judiciously collaborated with Ms. Hivy Reyes of the Pantwid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to append the conduction of the health teaching on Hypertension along with the FDS announcements. Both the 4Ps and SOM benefited in rapport and community-centered service on that day.

Cluster 1 was catered to in the morning, at 9AM while the health teaching for clusters 2 and 3 was provided in the afternoon at 1:30PM. Prior to the start of the health teaching, a pre-test on Hypertension concepts were given to the participants as baseline data to determine their initial level of knowledge on the subject. The test only lasted for 20 minutes, and then began the teaching.

The discussion focused soley on providing information and debunking myths on Hypertension. Concepts like normal value, risk factors, complications, management and prevention were discussed. Doctor Roullo expertly addressed the participants and was able to answer their questions.

After the health teaching, a post-test was given with the same questions as the pre-test to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategy. Results…

At the end of the assembly, the medical students stayed for another round of bp taking of the now educated and aware residents. The activity culminated in success and Barangay Goin now has educated and concerned people who are instilled with the initiative to take action for their health.

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Mass BP Taking

A peaceful community like Barangay Goin would not suggest the presence of debilitating diseases like those in urban cities. The people here are frequenters of organic resources like vegetables, fruits, fish and meat. The main livelihood of the people also contributes to their healthy states. Farming requires a large amount of work that turns out to be a form of exercise. Interestingly, a lot of geriatrics in the community is above the age of 80 – a feat that becomes more and more unlikely in industrialized areas.

However, this does not imply that life in the province can be disease-free. Hypertension was found to be populous in the community which signaled an immediate call for intervention.

Secondary data on the population of hypertensives in Barangay Goin had been obtained. However, there was no record of even a single out-patient that sought consult. This prompted the medical students to conduct a mass blood pressure taking in the community.

Residents aged 20 and above were targeted as subjects for the activity. The students were assigned to their respective districts where they would go house to house and obtain information of the residents’ medical history. The queries were directed on data suggesting hypertension (signs and symptoms, medications, previous consult, family history, lifestyle, and others). Most importantly, 2 readings of the subjects’ blood pressures were obtained – the first during the initial visit, and the second was taken 24 hours after the first.

The students also made sure that they were available to take the residents’ blood pressures during community gatherings. Seeing the students’ dedication encouraged the people to have their blood pressures monitored daily, usually when they see the students passing by their houses or they themselves would visit the students in their home.

Identified hypertensives were immediately given health teaching regarding their condition and how to manage it. It was found that most diagnosed hypertensives do not comply with their treatment regimen and was unable to return to the doctor for follow-up. Many of the hypertensives are undiagnosed, having a family history of cardiac disease and Hypertension, itself, a lifestyle of smoking and drinking, and a diet high in salt and fat content – all of which are risk factors for developing Hypertension.

Hypertension is a dangerous disease that is not managed simply. It requires great concern and willingness to be treated on the part of the patient. Because of this, Hypertension has become one of the main health problems in the community. Rest assured that it has been prioritized and a goal to remedy the problem has been made, as were strategies, one of which was successfully implemented days after the data gathering.

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