Dumaguete: Hundreds of individuals have availed of various goods and services provided by the Department of Health (DOH) in the Negros Island Region (NIR) during Thursday's 'PuroKalyeSugan' caravan in this capital.

According to Philippines News Agency, the activity marked the second anniversary of the DOH in the NIR following the latter's creation as a separate region, said Deab Eltanal, Chief, Local Health Support Division of the DOH-NIR Center for Health Development. Eltanal told the Philippine News Agency in an interview that this activity is done in coordination with the Dumaguete City government, the provincial government through the Provincial Health Office, and other government agencies and stakeholders.

'PuroKalyeSugan means that we want to bring our health services closer to the community, which is why in this event, we are not just celebrating our anniversary but attending to the needs of the people,' he said. During the activity, the DOH and its partners offered free services such as family planning counselling, free commodities like condoms, nutrition counselling, oral health services, immunization, blood typing, oral hygiene kits, HIV counselling and screening, medical consultations with free medicines and vitamins.

The city government, meanwhile, allocated three-kilo rice bags each for at least 250 people who availed of the services during the PuroKalyeSugan activity. Rachelle Ann Rivera, 20, a resident of Barangay Cadawinonan here, and who is nine months pregnant, said she availed of prenatal consultation and received vitamins, diapers, baby clothes, and other post-natal care items. She is thankful to the DOH for initiating the services caravan, especially for the less privileged who cannot afford regular medical care.

Iole Ca±ete, 77, of Barangay Taclobo here, said she and her companions availed of a doctor's consultation and also received benefits such as medicines, rice, and lunch. She said the doctors were very kind as she thanked the DOH and its partners for providing them with free goods and services.

Meanwhile, partner agencies also participated in the activity, including the Philippine Statistics Authority for registration to the national identification program; the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation for the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program or YAKAP registration; the Provincial Attorney's Office for legal advice and notarization of simple affidavits; the City Social Welfare and Development Office for services related to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program; STI College for registration for Technical Education And Skills Development Authority programs; and the Department of Agriculture for free seedlings.