ANTIQUE AND ILOILO RHUs RECEIVE THOUSANDS OF FREE MEDICINES

ANTIQUE AND ILOILO RHUs RECEIVE THOUSANDS OF FREE MEDICINES

Thousands of medicines and supplements in bottles, tubes, and packs were given to rural health units (RHU) in Antique and Iloilo by the Department of Health (DOH) through the initiative of AAMBIS-Owa Party-list in four (4) occasions in March, April, and May.

The medicines distributed included vitamins, supplements and other over-the-counter drugs for cough and pain relief, some prescriptive drugs and medications for common illnesses like high blood, kidney problems, and diabetes.

The donations were given by the Department of Health main office in Manila through the initiative of AAMBIS-Owa Party-list Rep. Sharon S. Garin who took care of the logistics to make the medical supply accessible to RHUs.

Republic Act 1082 prescribes the two (2) classes of RHU – senior RHU and the junior RHU.

A senior RHU consists of one municipal health officer as head of the unit, one public health nurse, one mid-wife and one sanitary inspector. A junior RHU consists of one physician or public health nurse as head of the unit and one midwife or sanitary inspector. 

Three (3) RHUs received medicine donations. These were Anini-y RHU in Antique, Alimodian RHU, and Leon RHU in Iloilo. The Partylist also supplied medicines in a Medical Mission done in San Jose, Antique. 

Some examples of medicines given to the RHUs were ascorbic acid, sulfur ointment, salbutamol, nebulation solution, anti-bacterial ointment, antihistamine, paracetamol, antacid, amoxicillin, amlodipine, diuretic, and anti-asthma.

In December 2013, AAMBIS-Owa party-list also provided truckloads of medicines to the people of Western Visayas who were struck by Typhoon Yolanda. 

Rep. Garin thanked the DOH for heeding her request for medicines for the benefit of her fellow Ilonggos in Western Visayas. /MP