TACLOBAN CITY – The municipality of Dulag, Leyte was recently a recipient of a P1.0 million fund donation from the Rotary International of Japan (RIJ) to finance the renovation of their Rural health Center and School medical/dental clinic and purchase of medical equipment and materials.

This was revealed by DOH-8 Information Officer Maria Conchita Singco who said the funding came about after the Department of Health-Central Office (DOH-CO) together with the World Health Organization (WHO) delegation visited Japan last August 2005, met with the donor, luckily at that time were looking for areas to donate their funds for a project. Proposals were immediately submitted, approved and funds were released before Dec. 2005 for an immediate one month implementation.

A formal turnover ceremony is set this coming January 17, 2006 for the newly renovated Dulag South District Medical/Dental Clinic and Medical/Dental Assistance to the Rural Health Unit.

About 60 Japanese Rotarians are expected to join the turnover ceremony.

Singco further said that Dulag qualified for the donors funding for several reasons: The municipality was one of the places visited by WHO last 2005 for the evaluation of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and results needing its assistance were presented at that time. Secondly, Dulag has a historical connection to Japan dating to World War II.

The funds were likewise used for the medical and dental clinic. Materials purchased includes medical equipment such as the stretchers, delivery and examining table, minor and surgical set, a refrigerator to preserve vaccines, vaccine carrier and dental unit, Ms. Singco added.

It will likewise include expenses for trainings and orientation of the staff on the maternal-child health care, the purchase of a multicab vehicle and a generator to be used in times of black-outs.

A nearly P1.0 million funding was likewise donated to renovate also Dulag South District public school clinic, its school front hallway, the school supervisors and principals office and the purchase of the basic medical and dental equipments.

The formal turnover ceremony on Jan. 17 will also cater polio vaccination to children in said municipality. The affair is expected to be attended by Leyte Governor Jericho “Icot’ Petilla Dulag, Mayor Themistocles Saño, Jr. and Dulag Municipal Officer Dr. Allan Alvarez.