𝗠𝗛𝗦𝗢 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 & 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET — On April 30, 2026, the Municipal Health Service Office (MHSO) took a significant step toward more inclusive healthcare during a comprehensive capacity enhancement program held at Calajo Foodhouse, Betag. The event, themed "Balancing Tradition and Innovation in Nurturing Modern Families," focused on equipping health staff with the tools to serve a diverse and evolving community.

The training began by bridging the gap between specialized clinical care and community traditions. 𝘋𝘳. 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘊. 𝘚𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯-𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴 (𝘋𝘛𝘛𝘉-𝘋𝘖𝘏) deepened participants' understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), providing critical guidance on identifying early "red flag" clinical features to empower staff in facilitating earlier interventions for pediatric patients.

Following this, 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘸𝘪𝘯 𝘍. 𝘉𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘯 (𝘛𝘈𝘏𝘊 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘐𝘊𝘔 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳) emphasized the value of being a culturally sensitive provider. He guided the staff on integrating approved traditional and alternative healthcare practices—including the 10 DOH-recommended herbal medicines—into modern service delivery.

The focus on inclusivity was further expanded during a Gender and Development (GAD) seminar led by 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘳. 𝘍𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘦 𝘗. 𝘌𝘴𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘑𝘳. This session challenged staff to look beyond biological status (Sex) and understand the culturally assigned roles and values (Gender) that shape patient experiences.

Engr. Esnara provided a detailed breakdown of SOGIESC, emphasizing that true gender sensitivity is rooted in treating everyone with respect and avoiding stereotypes. He highlighted that addressing these gaps is critical to overcoming barriers to care and preventing poor health outcomes that often stem from social stigmas or unequal access to resources.

Concluding the day’s sessions, 𝘋𝘳. 𝘈𝘳𝘭𝘺𝘯 𝘛. 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘰, 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘳 𝘐𝘐𝘐 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘊𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥, shifted the focus to maternal healthcare. Dr. Namoro conducted a vital refresher on the latest maternal health care standards, ensuring that all participants retained the necessary knowledge to provide high-quality, up-to-date care for mothers in the municipality.

By the end of the training, the MHSO staff were better equipped to provide a healthcare environment where every family—regardless of their background, traditions, or identity—feels seen, respected, and expertly cared for.

#LTfamilyhealthprogram2026

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Photographer: 𝑺. 𝑭𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒓, 𝑰𝑯. 𝑨𝒍𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒐

Original Post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BHjMi2xBp/