Department of Health (DOH) – MIMAROPA (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) strengthens the Wellness Program in Marinduque by promoting the consumption of organic food and livestock to participants which are generally produce and raised in various municipalities of the province.
“We are directing to combine the wellness program to the organic farming and livestock raising in the province because the consumption of organic food and natural livestock is essential in the development of a healthy body and strong resistance from illness. The expected outcome will be lesser medical consultations and hospitalization,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo stated during his visit in Marinduque on May 5, 2016.
“It will complement the objective of the wellness program which is disease prevention, promotion of healthy lifestyle and reducing the dependence to maintenance medicines of patients who are suffering from chronic diseases”, he emphasized.
There are currently 180 families enrolled who are undergoing health classes and training on proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle to empower them to make healthy choices and take control of their health and well-being.
The residents enrolled will then be accommodated at the Carmen Eco Park in Sta Cruz which will provide everything needed for them to find balance and complete health and wellness.
The program was piloted in ten (10) barangays in Boac, Marinduque on September 2015. There fifteen (15) families selected by the Provincial Rural Health Units and two (2) members with existing medical conditions out of the families were included in the program.
According to Janairo, it is primarily intended for indigent members of the community with limited access to medications, medical supplies and hospitalization. Various modalities practiced in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and in Integrative Medicine will be used in the treatment and care of selected participants.
DOH-MIMAROPA together with the Marinduque Provincial Government, Department of Agriculture Provincial Office and the Marinduque State College (MSC) will be providing technical assistance in setting up community gardens for the participants who will cultivate organic vegetables and local herbs for a continuous supply of nutritious products and also native livestock like goat, chicken and swine.
“We must recognize the therapeutic value of food as did our ancestors. Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food,” Janairo quoted from the adage of Hippocrates, the father of medicine.
