U.S., PHL service members hold medical, dental education exchange in Palawan

Manila —U.S. service members, Philippine Coast Guardsmen, local health workers, and local government employees partnered to conduct a basic medical and dental knowledge expertise exchange in Bataraza, Palawan, from Sept. 17-18.

More than 60 participants from the Philippine Coast Guard (PGC) Palawan District, BatarazaMunicipality Health Office, Barangay Buliluyan Health Workers, and the U.S. Army exchanged information about general health, basic sanitation, oral hygiene and disease prevention, and dengue and malaria prevention.

The sharing of best practices with local barangay health workers allows them to better serve the residents and communities of Bataraza.

“The status of oral health in the municipality of Bataraza Palawan is in a state of neglect with only 1 dentist to cover 86,000 residents… PCG Palawan District’s dental and medical service, working with Bataraza municipal health workers and with the support from our long-time friends and allies U.S. Army Civil Military Support Elements, will take these challenges head-on. Through proper health education of Barangay Health Workers and plans to conduct medical and dental missions, we can make a difference in the lives of our countrymen of Bataraza, Palawan,” said Lt. Marvin Balan, dental service officer of the Philippine Coast Guard Palawan District.

“We are honored to be working with our partners the Palawan Coast Guard and Bataraza Regional Health Unit, while addressing such an important issue as health education and prevention.  We are confident that together, we can make a difference for the people of Bataraza,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon Gonzalez, U.S. Army.

As longstanding friends, partners, and allies, the United States and the Philippines continue to strengthen our relationship through various civil military subject matter expertise exchanges.