THE UST Health Service provided free bone density and hemoglobin and hematocrit screenings to Thomasians on Friday, Feb. 13 as part of its institutional wellness program.
The free screenings are available to all students, alumni, faculty, and staff every second week of the month.
Dr. Ma. Zaela Mailom, preventive medicine practitioner at UST Health Service, said providing Thomasians with “free and fast” screenings would allow them to receive medical advice immediately.
“Prevention, more than cure, is what we’re aiming for,” she said.
A bone density scan is an imaging test that uses X-rays to measure calcium and minerals to diagnose osteoporosis, while hemoglobin and hematocrit screenings are done to assess the concentration of red blood cells in the body.
Results are given to patients after tests with the assistance of a clinician.
Lyn Gamora, a clinician who conducted the screenings, said getting tested at least once every three months would help detect early signs of anemia and osteoporosis or the weakening of the bones.
Gamora said patients are given a wrist ultrasound to examine the bones and a finger prick to test their blood.
Older women who have undergone child labor are more prone to osteoporosis, which means mothers should get tested regularly.
“Once na meron tayong osteoporosis, may chance na mas magiging marupok ‘yung buto natin. Mas prone tayo sa fracture. Mas mahirap ito dahil matagal ang healing process nito,” Gamora said.
One of the faculty members who got a free screening was Asst. Prof. Fides Ma. Lourdes Carlos of the Institute of Religion.
“For my age, it’s also good that I know how healthy I am in terms of how my bones are… It’s important that we are able to know how well we are in all aspects of our being,” she said.
Launched in September 2024, the University’s institutional wellness program offers wellness fairs, health screenings, and physical fitness sessions.
