The Department of Health-Region VI (DOH-6) recently named Iloilo City the “Most Outstanding LGU (local government unit)” and will provide the city the Western Visayas Local Health Systems Award and a P500,000 cash reward this month.

“Our city won the title because we were able to implement pre-natal, immunization, dental, medical services, and other essential health assistance that the public [needs],” said Iloilo City health officer, Dr. Bernard Caspe. “This award will serve as our inspiration to think of more initiatives that can help the public.”

Meanwhile, DOH-6 also awarded the Iloilo City government P500,000 and a plaque last month after declaring the LGU ‘filariasis free.’

“This only shows how our city prioritizes healthcare,” said Caspe.

“This disease is one of [the] public health problems [and] we worked [on] its prevention for three years,” he added. “We were able to distribute medicines to barangays, [inform] the public of preventive measures, and conducted pilot testing of blood samples.”

Filariasis is a parasitic disease brought on by worms that damages the lymph system and causes fluid collection, resulting in swelling. Legs, arms, breasts, and genitalia can be affected by the disease./WDJ