The City Government of Isabela, through the City Health Office (CHO), gathered community leaders and local government employees for a comprehensive orientation on Kidney Care with the global theme “Kidney Health for All”, March 24. This orientation will intensify the campaign for renal disease prevention and holistic wellness under the banner of “Caring for People, Protecting the Planet”, and is also in line with the 2026 National Women’s Month Celebration.
The attendees were the Barangay Information Officers (BIOs) and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), who are often the first line of defense in disseminating health information at the grassroots level.
The program opened with a warm welcome from Jenent Dela Cruz, Assistant NCD Nurse Coordinator, who emphasized the importance of community-led health initiatives. This set the stage for a comprehensive technical session led by Dr. Nujum Datu Indal, the Medical NCD Coordinator.
Dr. Indal’s advocacy focused on the reality that chronic kidney disease is an “equal-opportunity” ailment, it does not discriminate by age. Her lecture covered (1) Lifestyle & Diet: The impact of salt intake and hydration, (2) Risk Factors: Identifying early warning signs and the necessity of routine screening, (3) Community Engagement: How local leaders can foster environments that encourage healthy choices.
The open forum highlighted the personal side of the health crisis. Participants raised pressing questions about common ailments like Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and kidney stones, seeking to understand the root causes such as poor hydration and high-sodium diets that often lead to more severe chronic conditions.
The dialogue underscored a collective realization that while medical intervention is vital, education and early detection are the most powerful tools available to the community.
In conclusion, NCD Nurse Coordinator Lujie Cruz, delivered the closing remarks with a bold call to action, highlighting a proposed resolution that seeks to prohibit the sale and distribution of caffeinated and carbonated drinks within school premises and a 100-meter radius outside school grounds.
The event concluded with a shared commitment among the BIOs and BHWs to bring these lessons back to their respective barangays, ensuring that the message of kidney health reaches every household. (Words by S. Angging, CIO/Photos by J. Segovia, IsaTV)
