Port Loyola gets community health program

This morning the Area Representative for Port Loyola launched an initiative she believes will improve the constituency’s health, beginning with the children.

The project, the first of its kind for Port Loyola promises to promote healthy lifestyle, a healthy environment and provide health services to the residents of Port Loyola.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Area Rep., Port Loyola

“Not only is it the biggest constituency but I think in many ways it is the most needy constituency in terms of infrastructure and the development that is so needed. We thought that a good way to start was with health because a healthy community includes just about everything.”

Port Loyola Health Clinic will be improved, and the division’s youngest residents will also see changes for the better.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

“We are already starting with the upgrading of the bathroom facilities of the area schools. If you noticed where I am standing, just behind is Sister Clara Muhammed School, then we have the Community Preschool, Excelsior High and St. John Vianney School right in a row. And if we upgrade the bathroom facilities of these schools already we would be providing a more healthy environment for the school children.”

Philippa Shanda McDonald, the Project’s Coordinator says the committee is also concerned about high incidence of HIV and AIDS cases reported in the area. These include transmission of the virus from mother to child.

Philippa Shanda McDonald, Coordinator, Project

“As a result we will try to establish preventative methods in which to intervene before the deadly transmission of this virus takes place. Another one of our priority area is that of teenage pregnancy. And we believe that by only educating these young girls we can combat this social problem.”

Twenty-six members make up the Port Loyola Health Project’s committee. Although this may seem like a large group, Balderamos-Garcia says the committee was not established to dictate to the community but to listen to residents and respond to their needs.