SPUQC Health Services Unit, Always in Service

The St. University Quezon City Health Services Unit is at the forefront of the academics health community as it actively continues to participate in the projects and activities of the Private School Health Officers' Association (PSHOA).
The first quarter of this year saw active involvement of our unit during the PSHOA annual convention held at the Unilab's Bayanihan Hall in Mandaluyong City last April 12 and 13. The convention centered on issues that affect the active lifestyle of young people that is encapsulated in the central theme, "Reaching out for Enlightenment in Nurturing Energy and Wellness in Active Living" or R.E.N.E.W.A.L.

Topics discussed during the convention included "Challenges/Opportunities in the Control of Intestinal Helminthlasis among School and children,""Impact of Visual Electronic Media on the Developing Brain," and "Legal Issues in School Clinics."

Dr. Vicente Belizario, Jr. of UP-PGH elucidated on helminthlasis as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is the infestation with one or more of the intestinal parasitic worms like round worms, whip worms or hook worms.

Among the other topics that generated much interest was the "Impact of visual electronics media on the developing brain," lectured by Dr. Erminilda popular, and accessible visual electronic media. Undeniably, TV programs shape and influence the: language, cognition, reading, social skills, behavior, and physical and mental health of viewers - especially children. That is why parental guidance is necessary for the minor viewers. Also, she advised that there should be a limit to the amount of time spent not only in watching TV; but also in using the computer.

Meanwhile here at SPUQC, the Health Services Unit, committed to its objective of protecting the Paulinian community, started holding its annual immunization program last July 10. A total of 131 employees and students were vaccinated for flu and hepatitis. Moreover, the Unit introduced the Pfizer Sulit Care program to the faculty and staff. Beneficiaries of this program are given discount cards entitling them to get special discounts on some Pfizer medicines like Norvasc, Celebrex, Lipitor, Dltlazem, etc.

Days before July 5, 2007, a lecture was delivered for the Grade III pupils on the management of common ailments like sore eyes, a foreign body in the orifices and canals of the nose, ears, eyes: nose bleeding and bleeding from other external parts of the body; etc. This activity was aptly titled, "Doctor, Doctor I am Sick... Treatment of Common Pediatric Ailments." The speaker, Dr. Consuelo Garcia, SPUQC school physician was impressed by the attentiveness and alertness of her charming and cute audience. This prompted her to award prizes to those who answered correctly (sometimes even with a demonstration to emphasize their points) or who posed "logical" questions to her during the open forum... Keep up, Little Paulinians, you are doing fine. This school year, besides the immunization program, the Health Clinic Staff, animated by the spirit of "mission," spearheaded a dental mission involving volunteers from other departments of this school, backed up by the sponsorship of the Quezon City Dental Society. The beneficiaries of the free dental care were the children from Barangay Valencia, Quezon City's day care. The participants were motivated by fun games, and free gifts of toothbrush and toothpaste and were treated to Fluoride application Before the start of the main activity, Dr. Maria Theresa U. Laluces, incumbent President of the Quezon City Dental Society (QCDS) who is also one of SPUQC's school dentists, lectured on the correct way of using the toothbrush to all the clients and their companions.

The whole activity above was acclaimed a success by the attendees and recipients. This could be attributed to the collective and generous efforts and support of the volunteer care-givers from the faculty and staff of SPUQC, the school clinic staff, and above all, from the QCDS.

On August 23, 2007, Merck, Sharp, and Dohme (MSD), Philippines was accommodated by the school to promote the currently publicized "Prevention of Cervical Cancer." In SPUQC's Calendar of Activities for S.Y. '07-'08, this activity was intended to be part of the health instruction for the High School students. Through the invitation of the Health Clinic's physicians Dr. Denton Chua, from MSD, gave a simple explanation of the topic with audio-visual aids. He zeroed in on the cause, signs, and symptoms of cervical cancer. But, more important, he was happy to announce that now at last, a big leap in science exposed a way to prevent cervical cancer that is, through the injection of Gardesil inject able vaccine. He encouraged his audience to avail of this precautionary measure before the malady escalates to an expensive, distressing, and uncontrollable state.

Then on August 2, a new red letter day was etched on the calendar of the senior citizens of Boystown when a group of SPUQC personnel, organized by the Administrative Services Office brought cheer and joy to them in a socialization spree. Among those who attended this occasion were the two SPUQC school nurses, Ms. Ma. Luisa Monte, RN and Ms. Marissa Naboya, RN.

All through the years the Health Services Unit has espoused a healthy lifestyle, and continually propagate healthcare awareness within the Paulinian community. Such a commitment with its objectives were stressed by Dra. Conie Garcia during the 2nd Visayas Regional Scientific and Fellowship of the Private School Health Officers' Association(PSHOA) held at the Balay Kalinungan University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City, last September 1. Dra. Garcia was the immediate past president of PSHOA.

To end the 1st quarter of the school year in SPUQC, the Private School Health Officers' Association (PSHOA) in coordination with the Department of Education, Health and Nutritution Center (DepEd-HNC) conducted a three-day seminar and workshop to update the participants on relevant issues related to health services in a school setting. It was held at the Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay City last October 26-28, 2007. It wa attended by three members of the SPUQC Health Services Unit who have not yet undergone such a training program for school Health Workers; the were: Dr. Ma. Theresa U. Laluces, Ms. Marissa G. Naboya and Christina E. Monte. Dr. Cosuelo Z. Garcia, SPUQC school physician and immediate past President of the PSHOA, was on of the special lectures and who spoke on "The School Health Program in Private Schools."

Sponsored by the DepEd-HNC, the ave affair did not charge fees.

The SPUQCHSU always strives to keep the Paulinian community in the pink of heath, because, pardon the cliché, HEALTH IS WEALTH.

go top