In a significant stride towards broadening healthcare accessibility across the community, the Department of Youth Affairs (DYA) has successfully orchestrated a series of vital medical missions, directly addressing pressing public health needs. These initiatives underscore a proactive approach to ensure that critical health services reach underserved populations, particularly the island’s youth, thereby mitigating persistent barriers to comprehensive care.
A primary objective of these essential programs has been to alleviate the challenges many families encounter in securing fundamental health screenings and examinations. For numerous youths, the absence of health insurance or the logistical difficulties associated with obtaining annual physicals and PPD skin tests present substantial obstacles, often impacting their ability to meet school requirements and maintain optimal well-being. The DYA’s medical outreach endeavors directly confront these systemic issues, offering free healthcare solutions where they are most critically needed.
The genesis of this impactful initiative can be attributed to the visionary efforts of Karen Song, a pharmacist with deep community ties, whose daughter serves as a social worker within the department. Recognizing the profound need for expanded youth health services, Song approached DYA with a compelling proposal, leveraging her professional connections to establish a framework for these crucial health missions. This collaboration epitomizes the power of community health partnerships in fostering meaningful change.
Robinette Balajadia, Social Service Supervisor for DYA’s Youth Development Division, eloquently articulated the department’s enthusiasm for the project. “We know that a lot of our kids need their annual physicals and their PPDs, and the families we work with either don’t have insurance or have a hard time trying to get these services,” Balajadia stated. She further emphasized, “Because we’re in the community, we wanted to try and offer these services,” highlighting DYA’s commitment to proactive engagement in public health programs.
The remarkable community response to these medical outreach efforts has been a testament to their necessity. At the recent second medical mission held at DYA’s Kattan Youth Resource Center in Mangilao, parents demonstrated their profound need by arriving two hours before the scheduled 10 a.m. start. This early turnout underscored the critical demand for accessible Guam healthcare access, signaling a clear community endorsement of these vital services.
Logistical preparations for these large-scale community health events are meticulously planned to ensure seamless operations. Staff from DYA and the American Medical Center arrived as early as 8 a.m. to set up, alongside the mobile clinic vehicle which facilitated the efficient offloading of supplies. The sight of parents waiting patiently even before setup began served as a poignant reminder of the pressing need for such free healthcare initiatives within the region.
The impact of these public health programs is already evident, building upon prior successes. The inaugural medical mission, conducted in partnership with the Guam Healthcare Providers Coalition at the Haya Resource Center in July, successfully provided services to 55 youth. This initial success laid a strong foundation for the subsequent missions, reinforcing the efficacy and importance of DYA’s direct community engagement.
Looking ahead, the Department of Youth Affairs continues its dedicated medical outreach with a third mission planned. This upcoming event is scheduled for the Lagu Resource Center in Yigo on Sunday, August 3, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., promising to extend Guam healthcare access to even more young individuals and their families. These ongoing efforts reflect a sustained commitment to improving the well-being of the island’s most vulnerable populations.
