The city government of Manila is looking at enhancing health programs for some 180,000 elderly citizens to ensure their well-being.

In her State of the City Address on July 30, Mayor Honey Lacuna said studies are underway on methods to complement the city’s existing interventions to prolong the life expectancy and ensure quality life of residents who are in their twilight years.

“Sa mga polisiya tungkol sa pagkain, ehersisyo, linis ng hangin at kapaligiran at iba pa, ‘yan po ang tunay na layunin ng planong pangkalusugan ng ‘Magnificent Manila.’ Sa kabila ng pangangailangan nating maghigpit ng sinturon, tinuloy, tinapos ang mga nasimulan, at naglunsad pa tayo ng mga programang higit na kinakailangan ng mas nakararaming Manilenyo (Through policies on food, exercise, clean air and environment, among others, these are the real intention of the health programs of ‘Magnificent Manila’. Despite the need to tighten our finances, we finished what we started and we launched more programs that are needed by most Manilenyos,” she said.

Lacuna, a doctor, said she had always prioritized healthcare by empowering the city’s health cluster back when she served as vice mayor.

The city’s health cluster, which Lacuna started to manage during the coronavirus pandemic, include the Manila Health Department and the six hospitals being run by the local government, which all provide free health services for residents.

She said the Ospital ng Tondo, Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital, Ospital ng Sampaloc and Sta. Ana Hospital, along with the Manila Health Department, are already ISO (International Organization for Standardization)-certified.

“Ang ISO certification ay isang katiyakan ng mataas na kalidad ng ating serbisyong pangkalusugan at maayos na sistema ng ating mga ospital. Patunay ito na maging sa kalusugan, nagiging ganap na ang pagiging world class ng ating lungsod (The ISO certification is an assurance of a high quality of our health services and an organized system of our hospitals. This is proof that in terms of health, our city is slowly becoming world class),” she said.

She said the city’s more than 40 health centers are capable of simple laboratory tests for blood, cholesterol, urinalysis, among others.

Each health center also has its own electrocardiogram (ECG) and ultrasound services for pregnant women so that they no longer need to go to hospitals and private laboratories or clinics.

The city also has portable vans providing free dental X-ray, mobile laboratory and X-ray services while residents are also receiving free maintenance medicines, Lacuna said.

Kids, teens’ health

Meanwhile, the city also launched the “Walang Batang Manileñong Bungi sa 2030,” where Kindergarten and Grade 1 pupils are given fluoride and sealants to keep their teeth healthy.

Initially, over 100 high school students have been given free dental braces and dentures.

Meanwhile, the mayor said the city government is bringing the “Responsable Ako: Huwag Maging Biba [Batang Ina, Batang Ama]” adolescent health program to various high schools to address teenage pregnancy.

It is complemented by the “Ang Bata, Bata, Planado kang Ginawa Safe Motherhood Program”.

Lacuna said under the safe motherhood program, family planning acceptors had increased from 36,000 to 157,872 following its launch last year. (PNA)