By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Employees of the provincial government here continue to receive free medical checkup and consultation monthly under the auspices of the Provincial Healthy Habit Club (PHHC) to ensure that they stay physically fit.

Dr. Anna de Guzman, provincial health officer, said members of PHHC are assured free medical checkup and consultation as part of the continuing effort of the administration of Gov. Amado Espino Jr. to make employees healthy.

De Guzman said last Aug. 29 alone, some 3,000 provincial employees availed of these services during a monthly checkup and consultation at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center.

“A healthy body means a sound mind,” De Guzman said, adding that employees can perform better if they are healthy and free from any sickness.

Consequently, this monthly medical checkup and consultation for provincial government employees — unprecedented in the history of the province — is among the newest best local government practices of Pangasinan LGU today.

Human Resources Management Office (HRMO) officer-in-charge Janette Asis called on all provincial employees to register and become active members of the PHHC.

Members, she said, can avail of free medical benefits (free medicines, free vitamins) regularly to ensure their healthy lifestyle.

Aside from checking the blood pressure, cholesterol count and vital signs, employees, specifically the smokers are being treated with free lung function testing, foot Doppler testing for those who have high blood sugar, eyes therapy, body massage, and random blood sugar testing.

The free monthly medical checkup and consultation for provincial government employees has been going on for almost two years now.

This was after Governor Espino signed an executive order seeking the creation of healthy habit wellness program.

The wellness program is a pet project of Espino as a part of his administration’s thrust to improve the quality of services rendered by employees (regulars, casuals and job orders).