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  1. Background of the Problem

Water is a basic need and according to the United Nations access to it is also a human right. It is an essential part of daily life and in maintaining good health. Safe water is utilized by humans through sanitation, food production, and hydration. Unsafe drinking water can lead to so many serious health conditions and even death. Every year many people, most especially children, suffer from dehydration and electrolyte imbalances caused by diarrheal diseases. It might be an easily preventable problem, but still many people are seriously affected by this especially those living in poverty-stricken communities where water is considered a luxury. In these areas, water sources are usually communal or public and there is no purification method used for drinking water.

In Barangay Maras, there are a couple of different water sources used by the residents and most of them are communal and are not yet confirmed to be potable.  The households situated near the highway get their drinking water from a dug wells with hand pump and a few would buy from the nearby water-refilling station. Some households are connected to the piped spring water system established by the Local Officials but the water is rationed and still limited. Along the highway, an average of 25-30 households share 1 water source. In the areas far from the main road, drinking water is taken from an open dug well or a protected spring. Purok Waling-Waling is the only purok that has no water source of its own and people would walk in distances even as far as 200 meters through dense grasslands and narrow roads on top of cliffs just to get water.  In terms of water storage and purification, the residents utilize covered containers, which most of them clean regularly, but not all purify their drinking water.

  1. Solution

To manage these problems, approaches must be focused on changing the negative practices of the community, mobilize the people, and utilize available resources to improve the situation of the water sources.

  1. Sustainability

Community involvement is the best way to ascertain sustainability of the programs that will be implemented. All throughout the process, from the identification of the problem up to the evaluation of results, the people must be actively involved to instill the sense of ownership and cooperation in them. The local leaders must also be empowered so that they will be motivated to guide the people effectively and provide independent decisions in managing the projects.

diabetes update

APRIL 2021 IMPLEMENTATION

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                According to the World Health Organization (WHO), April 2021, diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Hyperglycemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

On the global picture, last 2014, 8.5% of adults aged 18 years and older had diabetes. In 2019, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths. To present a more accurate picture of the deaths causes by diabetes, however, deaths due to higher-than-optimal blood glucose through cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and tuberculosis should be added. In 2012 (year of the latest available data), there were another 2.2 million deaths due to high blood glucose.

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               On April 2021, a group of researchers composed of seven (7) Medical Students of Ateneo de Zamboanga University even with the limited communication and access to the community, the health programs have been continued. Massive campaign against diabetes were focused this time. This was achieved during the state of COVID- 19 pandemic and even the researchers were not physically present to facilitate the programs in the locality, the Barangay Maras. Furthermore, it was seen and felt that the locality gradually is attaining to become a self- reliant community, the vision and reason why this project is being implemented.

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               Audiovisual Health Advocacies, distribution of IEC Materials (see image 1 below), posting of a Health Board (see image 2 below) was among the activities implemented during the month-long preparation and implementation of the programs. The difficulties of the cellular connection as well as internet connection on Barangay Maras makes it almost impossible to conduct a virtual live lecture, thus resorting to an audio-visual presentation with supplements from the Barangay Health Personnel, and IEC materials. Our line of communication to the Barangay Officials, members of the core group, and other stakeholders at Barangay Maras had been hampered by these connectivity issues. Nevertheless, much has been done to address these issues successfully and deliver the message the researchers wanted to convey.

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                A one- on- one interview with the Program Head was done, discussing the causes, risks, symptoms and initial management of Diabetes Mellitus, this was sent to the Barangay Maras and played during an assembly. Moreover, layout of IEC materials and the Maras Health Board was done by the researchers and subsequently forwarded to the locality through a courier.

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                  With this, the General Objective of attaining the controlled glycemic level based on the guidelines issued by WHO of at least 75% of diabetic individuals in the locality may be put in reality. Concern agencies, stake holders and the community may in the long run attain and sustain a self- reliant community we all desire. Finally, COVID 19 pandemic may be a hindrance for the implementation of activities, but the eager and desire to have access to health for all Filipinos outweigh the potential risks and obstacles that may go along the way.

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April 2021 Accomplishments:

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  • Lecture on Diabetes Mellitus

  • Distribution of IEC materials on Diabetes Mellitus

  • Maras Health Board construction

 

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Upcoming Activities:

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  • Following the protocols of social distancing, wearing of face masks, disinfection, and limiting movement to only essentials in the context of COVID-19 New Normal Setting, the following upcoming activities are as follows:​

    • Launching of Maras Diabetic Health Club (MDHC)

    • Creation of Core Group Formation

    • MDHC Policy Making

    • ​Procurement of Logistics and Resources for Blood Glucose Monitoring

    • Creation of individualized Blood Glucose Monitoring booklet for T2DM individuals

    • Conduction of trainings and symposium on Diabetes Mellitus and its management, identification of complications and proper referral

    • Text brigade advisories

    • Establishment of glucose monitoring areas

    • Endorsement of Barangay Ordinance on non-communicable diseases

    • Governance and Sustainability of the Barangay Maras Diabetes Health Club

      • Lobby with the LGU regarding the maintenance of the adequate medications, glucometer and strips for diabetic individuals in the barangay.

      • Engaged partnership with the Barangay Council to ensure sustained supply of medication and resources.

    • Establish coalition and partnership with Private Companies/Corporations

    • Local Health Care Financing Scheme

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