The 115 barangays across the Negros Occidental 3rd district will benefit the “Ikaayong Lawas On Wheels Serbisyo Mediko sa Tersero Distrito,” which kicked off on March 2, a joint partnership of the Riverside Medical Center and Representative Javier Miguel Benitez.
According to a press release, the initiative was developed by Riverside Medical Center, in coordination with the 3rd district congressional office, to support local barangay engagement. It focuses on delivering healthcare to residents in geographically isolated areas, specifically prioritizing senior citizens, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and indigent families.
The project aims to eliminate barriers such as limited transportation and financial constraints by bringing essential medical services directly to the heart of each community. Medical teams are scheduled to visit one Local Government Unit (LGU) per week, with all services conducted exclusively on Mondays throughout the implementation period.
The program will serve one to seven barangays per scheduled visit to ensure efficient coverage of each LGU. Beneficiaries will receive a comprehensive health package including blood tests for FBS, cholesterol, and creatinine, along with CBC, chest X-rays, and ECGs.
The program aligns with the Universal Health Care Act by emphasizing primary care and early disease detection at the barangay level, a statement from the 3rd district congressional office said.
It added that its staff will identify and refer financially incapacitated patients to the MAIFIPP support system to help reduce congestion in regional hospitals and rural health units. By providing localized education and screenings, the initiative seeks to improve community health outcomes and encourage better health-seeking behavior among residents.*
