BulSU Knightingale Society gives free health services at University Trade Fair

Kathleen Anne Silvino, Froilan Hernandez | The Capitol

Posted on October 27, 2022 | 10:30 PM

In accordance with the annual celebration of SAMBALARAN (Sama Na Sa Pambayang Kaunlaran) 2022, the Knightingale Society of Bulacan State University College of Nursing facilitated a free health service booth at the University Trade Fair in Valencia Hall Main Campus, Thursday, October 27.

Trade Fair volunteers offering free-health services like checking of vital signs, Body Mass Index (BMI), random blood sugar test and massage therapy

160 attendees experienced free massages and health check-ups, such as checking vital signs, calculating body mass index, and random blood sugar.

Aside from the volunteer student nurses, the beneficiaries of BulSU Nursing department's extension project from San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, also joined the said activity.

They are the ones who luckily received the free training, seminar, and workshop program about massage therapy led by the university's nursing students.

With this program, they got a Certificate of Competency from TESDA (Technical Education And Skills Development Authority) and passed as licensed massage therapists.

The health service booth became the beneficiaries' chance to showcase their skills and what they have learned about massage therapy.

Mr. David S. Bote, a faculty member and clinical instructor in the College of Nursing for more than 10 years, stated the reason why they chose Knightingale Society as their partner in the Trade Fair.

“Ang Knightingale Society is one of the oldest or major student organization ng College of Nursing. So, even though na may mga other organizations, ang Knightingale na talaga 'yung pinakanaunang organization at medyo may kanya-kanyang committee kung saan ang paglilingkod sa komunidad ay parte na ng kanilang organization, kaya siguro sila yung natapat,” he said.

As for the preparation for the event, they ensure that all of the participants follow health protocols, such as wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing, since this was the first time that SAMBALARAN celebrated face-to-face after two years of pandemic.

This is already the 6th time that the SAMBALARAN event was held at the University.

Sir David added that SAMBALARAN started only inside the university, but through alliances between colleges and other four external campuses, the event extended to national and even international.

“Through alliances. Kapag sinabing alliances, here in Main Campus, we have 13 colleges, and we have four external campuses. So, ang bawat kolehiyo natin ay may kanya-kanyang target population, target community, target municipality or even cities. Hindi lang dito kami umiikot sa Malolos, so ang bawat kolehiyo ay lumawak hanggang sa iba’t-ibang regions kung saan pwedeng mai-top ng BSU 'yung bawat kolehiyo depende sa kanilang expertise”, he explained.

Other participants also joined the University Trade Fair including BulSU Hagonoy, and Meneses external campuses, and different departments from BulSU main campus such as College of Business Administration, College of Hospitality and Management, and College of Social Sciences and Philosophy.

The University Trade Fair is only part of the opening salvo of SAMBALARAN and there are still many projects awaiting before the end of the program in November.