‘KILATIS KUTIS’: GenTri LGU kicks off leprosy awareness program, grants free aid, medicine

In commemoration to World Leprosy Day, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of General Trias City provided a free health program with skin treatments and consultations with the theme, "Kilatis Kutis para sa Balat na Makinis" held on January 30 at Sunshine County Covered Court in Brgy. Buenavista II.

Led by the City Health Office (CHO), the program was headed by its key officials City Health Officer II Dr. Jonathan Porto Luseco and Leprosy Program Coordinator Nurse III Mary Ann Bartolome, and was able to provide free care for 229 residents. "Pangunahing layunin nito na mabigyang kaalaman ang bawat isa sa mga sakit sa balat at at tamang pangangalaga nito," Jenny Nocon Arda, a barangay official, explained.

Aside from free medicines and health consultations, the organizers also held an informative seminar about tackling discussions about leprosy led by Nurse Haydelisa Maderazo, the Cavite HIV and Leprosy Program Coordinator.

Within the success of the event, the City's Social Hygiene Clinic, along with the help of Barangay health workers and nutrition scholars, volunteered in providing quality healthcare.

The City Health Office congratulated in its Facebook post the initiative of Brgy. Buenavista Il with the help of its captain, Hon. Rodel Juliano, along with barangay officials and staff affiliated in hosting the health program. 

"At sa patuloy na pagbibigay suporta ng City Government of General Trias sa pangunguna ni Mayor Luis A. Jon-Jon Ferrer, Vice Mayor Jonas Porto Labuguen at ang bumubuo ng Sangguniang Panglungsod. Sa mga CHO staff na nagpadala ng kanilang mga pasyente at sa lahat ng sumuporta para maging matagumpay ang proyektong pangkalusugan para sa mga Gentriseño," the City Health Office added in its Facebook post.

Among those who honored World Leprosy Day comes from areas of Kidapawan, General Santos City, Northern Samar, and Ilocos Sur, where "Kilatis Kutis" was also one of its main programs.