Building Healthier Communities Through Collaboration: Wellness Promotion in Barangay Paoay, Atok, Benguet
“Health is the foundation of a thriving community, and access to care is a shared responsibility.”
Guided by this principle, the CUBE launched its Mobile Extension in Barangay Paoay, Atok, Benguet through a Wellness Promotion activity that simultaneously offered medical and dental services. This initiative was thoughtfully designed to bridge gaps in routine health care and deliver essential, preventive, and responsive services to underserved populations.
The program drew strength from the collective efforts of partner institutions. The University of Baguio mobilized 42 participants, including a medical doctor, professional dentists, intern students from the School of Dentistry, registered medical technologists from the School of Natural Sciences, and registered nurses from the School of Nursing. Additionally, the Cordillera Career and Development College (CCDC) contributed 21 participants, consisting of doctors and student nurses. Easter College Inc. (ECI) was represented by its Director for Research and Extension together with criminology students. Meanwhile, Baguio Central University (BCU) engaged 34 participants, including medical doctors, faculty members, Clinical Instructors, and student nurses. Their combined presence reflected a shared commitment to service, collaboration, and community engagement, enabling medical consultations to reach 402 beneficiaries and dental services to assist 201 patients. In total, the initiative served 603 individuals, including students from Celo Haight Elementary School, Franklin Guy Haight National High School, and St. Paul’s Academy of Sayangan, as well as residents of Barangay Paoay.
Services ranged from vital signs monitoring, urinalysis, blood typing, blood sugar testing, and postural analysis to dental care such as oral examinations, prophylaxis, fluoride application, and tooth extractions. These were complemented by health awareness lectures on the risks of betel nut chewing, smoking, and alcohol consumption, along with demonstrations on proper tooth brushing techniques to instill preventive practices among young learners. By addressing both school-based health concerns and broader community needs, the initiative fostered trust, strengthened partnerships, and enhanced health literacy.
Its impact resonates with the Sustainable Development Goals, advancing SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through accessible preventive care, SDG 4 (Quality Education) by reducing health-related barriers to learning, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by exemplifying the power of institutional collaboration in maximizing resources and expertise for sustainable community impact. Beyond the immediate delivery of medical and dental services, the program underscored the vital role of the CUBE Collaboration in advancing community health and development, affirming that collaborative, community-centered initiatives are essential in building healthier, more resilient, and empowered communities.
