On October 2, 2025, the Simariki community marked a meaningful milestone in its journey toward improved health and well-being. Local leaders, teachers, elders, and community officers gathered to participate in an Orientation Seminar on Simariki Health Care Services: A Hybrid Telemedicine Community-Based Program. The seminar was spearheaded by Fr. Albert “Tex” Paurom, in collaboration with the Ateneo de Zamboanga University – Center for Community Extension Services (ADZU-CCES).
The event was more than just a seminar; it was the beginning of a new approach to healthcare in Simariki one that bridges modern medical technology with local knowledge and leadership. At the center of this initiative is the TeleTulong Telemedicine Program, a hybrid model that combines face-to-face community support with virtual medical consultations.
Through this program, trained community leaders are now able to identify common symptoms, assist in setting up real-time online consultations with Fr. Tex and other healthcare providers, and help distribute necessary medications directly on the island. This system brings much-needed health services closer to home cutting down travel time, increasing access, and building trust in both modern and traditional systems of care.
This initiative is especially vital for an island community like Simariki, where geographical limitations often hinder immediate access to healthcare. With TeleTulong, the island is now better equipped to respond to urgent health needs, manage common illnesses, and promote preventive health practices among residents.
More importantly, this program reflects a broader mission: to nourish both minds and bodies by empowering local stakeholders with knowledge, skills, and tools to care for their own people. It encourages a community-driven approach to healthcare while respecting indigenous identity and self-determination.
The Orientation Seminar was not only informative but also inspiring. It reminded everyone that meaningful change begins within the community and that healthcare is not a privilege, but a right that should be accessible to all, no matter how remote the location.
With renewed knowledge and commitment, the Simariki community now moves forward united in its goal of building a healthier, more resilient, and empowered future for all its members.
-Ma. Isabel D. Pantaleon