This document was originally submitted to NAN in May 2006 as part of the Main Plan to solidify the sisterhood relationship between the City of Suisun, California, USA, and the Municipality of Naguilian, La Union, Philippines. It was recently edited to reflect current situations and how Annak Ti Naguilian see the future as of today. With the full blessings of NAN and with the support of the City of Suisun, it is time to forge this plan to action.
ANNAK TI NAGUILIAN-WELLNESS & HEALTH PROGRAM
(ATI-WHP)
VISION-
"Annak Ti Naguilian", in association with NAN and other Naguilian Associations and the City of Suisun, is committed to the general wellness of the Naguilian Citizenry by providing support to the local Health Center, and by directly providing medical and/or dental services, free of charge, to the local communities of Naguilian.
MISSION-
1. To establish communication between the Naguilian Health Center and the ATI-WHP, in conjunction with Suisun City. This allows sharing of knowledge, procedures, and strategies to prevent diseases.
2. To provide assistance in procuring medical equipments and materials necessary for the delivery of healthcare.
3. To establish a clinical laboratory to provide the most basic laboratory tests like glucose, hematocrit, urinalysis, and gram stain.
3. To provide direct medical/dental assistance through medical/dental missions.
GOALS-
1. To establish a "core" group of health professionals, doctors, and dentists, who are willing to share their expertise and to sacrifice time and money to perform needed medical/dental care to the poor of Naguilian.
2. To obtain medical and demographic statistics, or annual health reports, of Naguilian to better understand the health background and medical needs of the community.
3. To develop a health program for Naguilian, inconjunction with the local health officials, healthcare professionals from Naguilian who are here in US, and Suisun City. This includes health education with emphasis in prevention of diseases, and in general wellness of the population.
4. To plan for our first medical/dental mission.
5. To establish a non-profit organization that allows tax deductible donations. This facilitates maximum donations from high tax bracket donors.
"Suggested" Time Table-
Activities Accomplished By
Establish communication December 15th, 2007
Establish a core group January 15th, 2008
Establish non-profit status March 15th, 2008
Develop health programs May 15th, 2008
Plan for medical/dental mission July 15th, 2008
Medical/dental mission February 15th, 2009
CORE TEAM-
The core team will comprise of US and Naguilian healthcare professionals. Primary providers must be medical doctors and dentists licensed by any state, or the Philippines. Assisting teams will comprise of nurses, med techs, pharmacists, PTs, X-ray, optometrists, etc. Other non-medical participants are also welcome to assist anyway they can to provide a smooth operation.
SUPPLIES-
Supplies will come from donations from hospital material management departments and some pharmaceutical companies in the US. A list of targeted materials will be establlished depending on the services to be rendered.
PATIENTS-
MISSION-VACATION COMBINED-
T B continued.
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HOW TO RECOGNIZE A STROKE-
The FIRST 3 hours after the FIRST sign of stroke is critical. You need to dial 911, and go to the nearest emergency room, or stroke center RIGHT AWAY. DO NOT WAIT...SUDDEN symptoms can be any or combination of these:
1. Sudden numbness (tingling), or weakness, of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
2. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
3. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
4. Sudden and severe headache with no known cause
5. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
6. New symptom- Ask the person to stick his/her tongue out, if the tongue goes to the right or left, confirms a stroke.
What to do-
If you had these symptoms and it went away, you may have a mini-stroke. They call this Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). Sometimes a TIA or mini-stroke precedes a major stroke, so do not hesitate, proceed to Emergency Room immediately. Remember that clot dissolving drugs has to be administered within the first three hours, after blood tests results come back from the lab, if you are to survive or limit the disabling effects of stroke. If ER is busy, you have a better chance of being seen right away when you arrive in an ambulance.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A HEART ATTACK-
The FIRST hour after the first sign is critical in heart attack. Call 911 right away! Any or a combination of these signs:
1. Sudden shortness of breathe
2. Sudden chest pain
3. Sudden pain in the jaw, neck or back
4. Sudden pain in the arm or shoulder
5. Sudden muscle weakness, or sudden lightheadedness.
Number 5 on both are the same.
Follow "What to do" above.