For the Indigenous communities namely, T’bolis, B’laans, Moslems, and Badjaos, health is a luxury. For three years now, Children’s Hour Philippines and its proponent implementing organization, works hand in hand in delivering Basic Health Services to Indigenous Children (PHCDP), specifically to the Indigenous communities of General Santos and Saranganni Provinve. Since the cost of medication is beyond the reach of most indigent families and their children, medical services are brought to them instead.

For the current fiscal year, the PHCDP aims to uplift the health status of children in five of the low income tribal communities in General Santos City. It targets to provide services to a total of 5,000 indigenous children ages 0 – 15 years old, namely: a) medical consultation; b) immunization; c) dental and physical exam; d) deworming; and, e) supplemental feeding. Through these services, the target beneficiaries are expected to benefit from regular medical check-up and deworming, monitored supplemental feeding, dental and physical check-up, free vaccines against diseases, easy access to medicines, and access to preventive health care services like education, hygiene, environmental sanitation, parenting and child care.

Through years of experience in implementing the programs coupled by committed staff, strong support and contribution of the parents and community leaders, the services to promote children’s health and nutrition are promptly delivered. Also, through the community exposure program incorporated in the curriculum of B.S. Nursing of the Partner University in the province, nursing students comprise a pool of volunteers who extend assistance in conducting and monitoring the programs. Furthermore, volunteer dentists and other interested local volunteers help in the implementation of the project to cut direct cost expenses.