Health services. Health personnel from the Municipal Health Office of Mambajao administer measles-rubella vaccines and deworming treatments to children aged 13–59 months during the four-day supplemental immunization drive held from July 8 to 11 at various barangay health stations across the municipality. (Photo courtesy of LGU Mambajao)
TheMonitorMindanaoToday.com | Camiguin town reports health gains, eyes digital shift
By: Recthie T. Paculba and Diseerie Jean A. Ecdang
MAMBAJAO, Camiguin – The local government of Mambajao is moving forward in public health, reporting significant improvements in medical services and preparing to launch a digital system aimed at changing how health care is delivered across the municipality.
“This electronic database will greatly aid us in coming up with health-wise strategic decisions and actions,” said Mayor Yñigo Jesus Romualdo during his State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) on July 4, emphasizing the shift to digital record-keeping as a key step in updating Mambajao’s health services.
The mayor highlighted progress over the past year, noting that under the leadership of Dr. Boel Espinas, the Municipal Health Office (MHO) received recognition from the Department of Health (DOH) for performance in health emergency management, safe motherhood, voluntary blood services, Tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (TB DOTS), and disaster risk reduction in health.
Health, maternal gains
During his SOMA, Romualdo reported that tuberculosis treatment success increased from 97% to 98%, while detection rates rose from 51% to 58%. He attributed this partly to the provision of free medications.
“Our TB DOTS package is again accredited by PhilHealth. I am very proud of our Mambajao Health Office as a DOH-accredited primary care facility, offering six services such as birthing home, dental laboratory, ambulance, pharmacy, and x-ray,” the mayor said.
Maternal health indicators showed growth, with prenatal checkups rising from 58.92% to 81.15%, resulting in zero maternal mortality cases. The Libreng Paanak program, implemented with PhilHealth, continues to offer free prenatal to postnatal care without billing mothers.
Romualdo also noted expanded child and adolescent health services, including immunizations, breastfeeding support, and mental health care.
The DOH-approved adolescent clinic, which offers age-appropriate sex education, counseling on sexually transmitted infections (STI) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and mental health support, contributed to a reduction in teenage pregnancy rates from 3% in 2023 to 2.39% in 2024.
Community wellness
In 2024, the local government launched the “Long Life Program,” distributing three months’ supply of maintenance medicines to over 7,000 residents through house-to-house visits.
To address an increase in lifestyle-related illnesses—from 1.84% in 2023 to 19.4% in 2024—weekly Zumba sessions and a “Biggest Loser” challenge were introduced to encourage healthier lifestyles.
Rehabilitation services were revised under the DOH’s “Katatagan, Kalusugan at Damayan ng Komunidad” (KKDK) initiative, and mental health services were strengthened through the Abag Healthline, which has served 134 patients so far.
Partnerships with Camiguin General Hospital (CGH), Cagayan de Oro Medical Center (COMC), and several pharmacies were secured through P4.9 million from the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) fund, with an additional P10 million reserved.
Looking ahead, Mambajao will pilot the DOH’s PuroKalusugan Profiling Program in three barangays: Benhaan, Bug-ong, and Baylao.
“We are piloting three barangays, Benhaan, Bug-ong, and Baylao, in the program. This initiative will supplement our current efforts in providing essential medical services through mobile clinics, medical missions, and community-based health care programs,” Romualdo said.
Health infrastructure
“For our health infrastructure development, we have already completed the Bug-ong Barangay Health Station, funded by the DOH, worth P1 million. We are also nearing the completion of the Mambajao Super Health Center, worth P10 million. Our pharmacy and vaccination room have been installed too,” the mayor said.
Plans are also in place to establish a temporary animal bite treatment center, which will seek accreditation from the DOH and PhilHealth.
With the Local Health Board’s approval of the Local Investment Plan for Health and the Annual Operation Plan for 2026–2028, alongside efforts to train local health workers through TESDA scholarships, Romualdo said Mambajao is preparing for a healthier and more technology-based future.
“Now, that’s truly a lot for our health programs, and we are very, very excited to see more through the rest of 2025. Ing-ani ta mupalangga sa atong lungsod sa Mambajao (This is how we care in the municipality of Mambajao),” Romualdo said. (RTP/DJAE/PIA-10/Camiguin)
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