Health Link

Empowering The Barangay Health Workers

By Cecille dela Rosa de Lemos

Some 100 active barangay health workers (BHW) attended the 1st Municipal General Assembly of BHWs of Balete held at Teodoro F. Calizo, Sr. Memorial Civic Center, Balete, Aklan recently. Mrs. Chona R. Custodio, Provincial and Municipal Federation President, spearheaded the assembly aimed to strengthen and systematize the barangay health workers services for their community. It discussed issues and concerns including the implementation of their benefits and incentives.
Balete Mayor Noemi C. Cordero, expressed her concern to barangay health workers. She recognized them as important partners of local government in the delivery of primary health services. Vice Governor Billie V. Calizo assured them of their Philhealth privileges. Celia R. de Lemos, Provincial BHW coordinator also addressed the assembly to synergize all the stakeholders in health development and in order to meet the demands of Republic Act No. 7883 with innovation and creativity.
Republic Act No. 7883, known as the Barangay Health Workers Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995 was approved in recognition of the BHWs services. The law will benefit those who are actively and regularly performing their duties as it will entitle them to hazard and subsistence allowances, trainings, education and career enrichment program, second grade civil service eligibility, free legal services, and one-child scholarship.
Moreover, Governor Carlito S. Marquez also approved Executive Order No. 12 on march 17, 2006 which provides health privileges and free hospitalization. The Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital will give 50 percent discount on total hospital bills of her spouse and children below 21 years old.

War On Worms

In connection with the Regional Launching of War on Worms (WOW) in Western Visayas, Gov. Carlito S. Marquez and wife Betsy R. Marquez hosted a dinner in honor of DOH and DepEd executives during the Kalibo visit on October 25, 2007. Assistant Health Secretary David J. Lozada, Jr. and company came one day ahead of health secretary Francisco T. Duque III, HNC DepEd Assistant Director Thelma Navarres, CHDWV Regional Director Lydia S. Depra-Ramos and staff. Antique Governor Salvacion Z. Perez, the person who steered the WOW undertaking in Antique also came.
In his corporate look, dressed in signature short sleeved piña barong, Gov. Marquez did his table-hopping entertaining guests led by Aklan Schools Division Superintendent Victorina S. Laroza. “The achiever” Aklan Vice Governor Billie V. Calizo came in attractive black and white dress.
In his message, Gov. Marquez discussed the medical tourism of the province of Aklan. His wisdom and business acumen conquered the hearts of DOH and DepEd people. Inspiring messages were delivered by Asec. Lozada, Jr. and Asst. Dir. Navarres on behalf of Dir. Zebuniza C. Abbas, Director III, DepEd. Dr. Victor A. Santamaria emceed the dinner program.
After the dinner party, a meeting was held among the municipal health officers who are Dr. Melanie V. Tolentino (Kalibo RHU), Dr. Athena C. Magdamit (Lezo RHU), and Dr. Levens T. Maravilla (Numancia RHU) with Asec. Lozada, Jr. and Reg’l. Dir. Ramos. Dr. Emma T. Cortes, PHO II, Dr. Victor A. Santamaria, PHO I, DOH representatives Dr. Myrtle Pelayo, Mrs. Zuela Calizo, Dr. Elepoldo P. Magpusao, PHO Technical Chief, Dr. Maria J. Magpusao, Ms. Celia R. de Lemos and Debbie F. Villaflor of PHO Aklan joined the meeting which served as an opportunity for MHOs to raise health issues and concerns.
Sec. Francisco Duque III was welcomed the following day by local and regional officials led by Gov. Marquez at the Kalibo airport from where he proceeded to Pandan, Antique for the Regional launching of War on Worms, a school – based Helminth Control Project of DepEd-DOH-UPM-Johnson & Johnson.
Pandan’s Liberman Sports Complex, jam-packed with mob of pupils and teachers of Pandan District, health care professionals and local officials, set the tone for the grand launching. Gov. Sally Z. Perez and Mayor Plaridel E. Sanchez VI who teamed up as hosts gave their warm welcome messages. DOH Asec. Lozada, Jr., DepEd Dir. Zebuniza C. Abbas, NIH-UP Manila Exec. Dir. Lulu C. Bravo, and Dr. Alexander T. Delgado of Janssen Pharmaceutica; the Partner-Recipients: Gov. Perez, Dr. Victor Santamaria representing Gov. Marquez, and a representative of Capiz Gov. Victor A. Tanco and Roxas City Mayor Vicente Bermejo.
Presentation of WOW-V was facilitated by NIH-UP Manila Deputy Dir. Vicente Y. Belizaro, Jr. The signing of MOU by WOW-V partners followed. CHDWV Reg’l Dir. Lydia S. Depra-Ramos and DepEd Reg’l Dir. Elnora A. Barrios did the Official Declaration and kick-off of mass deworming. Antiqueños got the best of Sec. Duque III with his amusing remarks and information on helminth control project. The people applauded him for every grant/assistance he announced. He also unveiled the perspective of the upgraded Angel Salazar Memorial Hospital. Antique Asst. Supt. Rhodora Napud closed the program.
Before flying back to Manila, Sec. Duque III and party visited the P139 million three-storey Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital, Kalibo financed by the MDFO-LOGOFIND.

Doctors’ Best Qualities

This wonderful doctor merits space on this page. I heard everyone’s heaping praises on Dr. Ryndell G. Alava’s power point presentation/lecture in a forum conducted last week at the old conference room of Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital. “Siksik ang” information but he made it easy and simple for the nursing students and hospital staff.
Not only that. His fellow physicians and patients have kind words for Dr. Alava. His genuine concern for his patient’s health and recovery most especially endeared him to these people.
Dr. Alava is a neurologist, epileptologist, and electroencephalo-grapher (EEG). He is a fellow of the Philippine Neurological Association. He can be reached every Tuesday and Wednesday at his Kalibo clinic at the 2nd floor of Kalibo Medilab, A. Mabini St.
More than just to practicing the profession, certain qualities make a good doctor – competent, employs passion, compassion, and prayer. Gov. Marquez commends doctors, the likes of Dr. Ryndell Alava, Dr. Ramonito Tubongbanua and Dr. Rane Tabañar.
The issue is simply good breeding learned in the universities of hard knocks. He either has it or he doesn’t. /MP