JAGNA – The San Francisco, California-based Philos Health, a non-government organization (NGO) and this town's health partner for almost three years now visited anew on March 20-21 for a follow-up on patients diagnosed to have alarming sugar levels at the Jagna Central Elementary School (JCES) multi-purpose building.

Forrest Malakoff, board chair, headed the team that included Dr. Lefkos Aftonomos, an American physician and certified psychiatrist, on its 7th visit and 4th official follow-up. Indigent diabetes patients have always looked forward to Philos Health's visits. The patients have been administered metformin to lower their blood sugar levels – for free since September 2005.

The usual blood pressure, glucose, creatinine and HB1 screening were conducted on the patients. Records of the Rural Health Unit (RHU) staff however showed that 50% of the patients during the two-day medical activity were new. Aside from the medical follow-up, two members of the Philos Health team conducted a bacteriological test and assessment on the Municipal Waterworks System.

Engr. Ronie Galabo, municipal planning and development coordinator (MPDC) said water system specialist Steve Young and David Brown conducted an on-site assessment of the water sources in barangays Odiong, Lonoy, Pangdan and Malbog. "The team recommended the construction of a filter tank just like what Mr. Young did to Mindoro when he worked there as a peace corps volunteer several years ago. Of course, the LGU hopes for their intervention," Galabo said. Young also inspected the program of work for Jagna's Waterworks System, which Galabo said, is still 30% complete.

Mayor Exuperio Lloren thanked Malakoff again for donating medicines. Like in their previous visits, Philos Health turned-over to Lloren through the Jagna-Philos Health Care Committee 29 boxes of medicines like amoxillin, atenolol, captopril, ciprofloxacin and cephalexin – on top of equipment like computers. To note, Philos Health turned over millions of pesos worth of medical equipment to the Rural Health Center and to the Cong. Teodoro B. Galagar District Hospital.