On October 4, 2024, Northern Mindanao celebrated World Environmental Health Day through the “Biyaheng Kalusugan” health caravan held at the Maramag Municipal Gymnasium.

The event, organized in cooperation with the Municipality of Maramag and the Department of Health Center for Health Development (DOH CHD-NM), brought together various local government units (LGUs) from Bukidnon to promote environmental health and public well-being.

Among the attendees were Dr. Dennis Sangalang, City Health Officer, Randy Macas from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Malaybalay, Mhegan L. Dominguez, Health Education and Promotion Officer, and Jenny Jane S. Jumamoy, Sanitation Inspector, both representing Malaybalay City.

The event highlighted the significance of environmental health in line with the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act and the Department of Health’s 8-Point Action Agenda. With a focus on disease prevention, access to clean water, and sanitation, the caravan showcased various health education initiatives aimed at improving community health.

One of the key activities was educating the public on proper handwashing techniques, a basic yet crucial step in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

Additionally, community-level actions were emphasized, including campaigns on mosquito control, dengue prevention, and other related topics. The event demonstrated the DOH’s commitment to strengthening primary care services through collaboration with LGUs and ensuring that environmental health remains a priority in achieving universal health coverage.

An on-the-spot canvas painting competition also took place during the event. Nash Anakin Maandig, a Grade 12 STEM student from Bukidnon National High School, represented LGU Malaybalay and secured second place in the competition, receiving a cash prize and a plaque for his efforts.

This celebration underscored the DOH’s ongoing efforts to equip communities with knowledge on sanitation, disease prevention, and environmental health, reinforcing its mission to achieve better health outcomes for all.

Reported by: Mhegan L. Dominguez, CHO-NADA