Nimar, Weloy, July 14, 2024 – In response to the severe drought affecting the island, the Yap
State Department of Health Services, in collaboration with UNICEF, successfully conducted their
8th health outreach program on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at the Nimar community. The event saw
a turnout of 30 participants, eager to learn and engage.
The outreach was part of UNICEF WASH Program’s broader initiative, which collaborates with
other public health programs, including Immunization, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD), and
PREP. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance health awareness across both mainland
and outer island communities. Recent visits included the outer island communities of Ruu,
Makiy, Ablul, Daboch, and Gitam, as well as mainland communities in Dalipebinaw, Okaw, and
Dugor.
Given the ongoing drought, the outreach focused on promoting water quality, sanitation, and
hand hygiene as critical preventive measures. The team provided vital health education on
Dengue Fever, Leptospirosis, Amoebiasis, and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD).
Emphasis was placed on how to maintain hygiene and prevent disease spread. Given UNICEF’s
focus on children’s well-being, the outreach also featured educational games designed to teach
young children about proper handwashing and hygiene practices, even during water scarcity.
Mr. Leo Pugram, the village representative, expressed his gratitude for the program, stating,
“It’s good to see this program reach out to our community, who are appreciative of the health
outreach. Many can’t easily get to the hospital, so bringing this information to them is invaluable. Everyone, including those who have difficulty walking, was happy and grateful. Even I was engaged and asked questions, helping us all understand how to better prevent diseases.”
One of the children who participated in the handwashing activity, Christopher Rubothin, shared
his experience: “I learned from the handwashing game that it’s important to wash our hands
properly to kill invisible bacteria and to be resourceful, especially during the drought.”
The collaboration between the Yap State Department of Health Services and UNICEF continues
to make significant strides in improving public health awareness and education. By reaching out
to remote communities, they ensure that essential health information and preventive measures
are accessible to all, fostering healthier and more resilient communities, especially in times of
environmental challenges.
(For more information, please contact the Yap State Department of Health Service at 350-2114/2115. Thank you.)
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