Health alliance assembly held

The second general assembly of a Bohol-based health alliance was held last Friday, Sept. 30, 2010 in Tagbilaran City in order to advance the health conditions of the Boholanos.

The Alyansa sa Katawhan alang sa Maayong Panglawas (KAHIMSOG) is composed of people’s organizations in the grassroots, community health workers (CHWs), nurses, doctors and other health professionals, nursing students, non-government organizations and government agencies and other health advocates. It shall work to improve the health conditions in the province.

The assembly theme was: Iasdang ang katungod ug kaayuhan sa katawhan ug mga mamumuo sa panglawas para sa kahimsog. It was held at the conference room of the JJ’s Mandarin, Dimsum.

The assembly was graced by Bohol Provincial Board Member Chairman of the Committee on Health Dr. Ceasar Tomas “Yul” Lopez who expressed the government’s support to work with the Kahimsog, Ms. Angelita Maleriado, Provincial Health Office Public Health Nurse, Ms. Conchi Manhilot, Clinical Instructor-University of Bohol, Dr. Rosendo Lopez III, Head Dental Department in the Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital, Sr. Gloria and Fr. Desiderio Magdoza of Rural Missionaries of the Phil. (RMP).

Leaders of the Hugpong sa mga Mag-uuma sa Bohol (HUMABOL) represented by William Boybanting and Danilo Olayvar, Paula Destor of Bol-anong Kahugpungan sa mga Kabus nga Nangisda (BOKKANA), Linda Salo (Sandigan sa mga Bol-anong Kababayen-an nga Nag-uma ug Nanagat (SABAKAN),and community health workers of people’s organizations, nurses, nursing students, also attended the activity.

Dr. Erlinda Posadas of the VPHCS talked on the national health situation.

Dr. Erlinda Posadas and Ms. Lynsy Linao, staff members of the Visayas Primary Health Care Services (VPHCS) discussed the rationale of the reactivation of Kahimsog by discussing the health conditions of the Filipino people, the People’s Health Agenda presented by national progressive health groups to the Aquino government, and the community-based health programs as an alternative health care system.

The Kahimsog was formed in 1998. Among its achievements included the establishment of a health referral system of poor patients to health workers, medical missions in depressed communities, lobbying to increase the health budget in the LGUs and to make ambulance service free of charge, support to the campaign of the health professionals against the Medical Malpractice bill which was later shelved by Congress, and primary health care campaigns in marginalized communities.


Officers of the Kahimsog were elected by the body in the assembly. They are the following, namely:

Chairperson.............Olympia Maldos (P.O.)
Vice Chairperson........Peter John Filiseo (R.N.)
Sec. Gen. ..............Luz Yana (CHW)
Rep. Students..........Grace Dahan
Health Professionals....Dr. Rosendo Lopez III and Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan

CHW’s
D1..... Gardenia Pono
D2..... Vilma Fuentes
D3..... Shirley Butlig

P.O
Humabol..... Danilo Olayvar
Sabakan..... Linda Salo
Bokkana..... Paula Destor