First Health Financing Summit in Cebu held

More than 120 local government officials, municipal health officers, chiefs of district hospitals, private hospital heads, health maintenance organizations, medical societies representatives, deans of nursing and medical schools, pharmacy owners, health non-government organizations, people’s organizations, pharmacists, and other stakeholders in the health and non-health sectors in Cebu and Bohol attended the First Health Financing Summit in Cebu last January 26, 2011.

The summit entitled “Universal Health Care: The Role of Health Financing in Achieving Universal Health Care” was held at the Cebu Institute of Medicine Amphitheatre from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The activity was sponsored by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in partnership with the Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc., the University of San Carlos Economics Department, the Sky Cable and the Cebu Alliance of Mass Communications Students.

Speakers included among others, Dr. Bayarsaikhan, Team Leader-HCF, Hon. Stephen Lillie, United Kingdom Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go of the Asian Institute of Management, Former Cebu City Health Officer Dr. Tomas Fernandez, Dr. Alvin Caballes of the University of the Philippines- Manila, Dr. Fidelis Quiza of the Cebu Institute of Medicine, Dr. Leizel Lagrada of the Department of Health- Central Office, Mayor Sonia Lorenzo, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija and Dr. Ramon Paterno of the University of the Philippines – Manila.

Universal Health Care through better health care financing is seen as the constructive alternative to many of the current solutions being undertaken by our Philippine Government when attempting to improve access to health by society at large. It is a response to the need for equitable health care for all Filipinos based on need and not based on ability to pay. Health financing is one of the six building blocks of a health system: governance, health information system, human resources for health, health organization, regulation and health financing.

Medical mission in Hipodromo

More than 250 patients in the urban poor communities of Hipodromo, Carreta and Lorega were served in a medical mission conducted by members of the Diocese of San Bernardino Filipino Ministry in San Bernardino, California, U.S.A. in Barangay Hipodromo sports complex last Jan. 20.

Six doctors and about 40 lay persons of the ministry headed by Fr. Ben Alforque, M.S.C., who were in a two-week visit in the Philippines rendered medical consultations and counseling services during the mission. Staff of the Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc. (VPHCS) including Dr. Erlinda Posadas, Dr. Oliver Gimenez, Dr. Mark Molina, Lynsy Linao, R.N., Cheryl Molina, R.N. , and volunteer nurse Zane Omega joined the medical team.

The Fil-Americans from San Bernardino also rendered medical services in urban poor communities in Bacolod and Iloilo prior to their Cebu trip. They also rendered services in Payatas in Metro Manila after Cebu. The theme of their mission was “Discovering and Re-discovering our Filipino Roots.”

The Ministry also donated medicines to the VPHCS to be used in future medical services for indigents patients in the communities in Cebu and Bohol.

Sustained support from FACCHD

Early this year, the Fil-Am Center for Community Health and Development, Inc. donated funds as part of its continuing support for the Visayas Primary Health Care Services.

In a visit with the VPHCS staff in January 14, 2011 FACCHD President Dr. Lilia Hernandez presented checks worth $ 15,000 raised by the group based in Pleasanton, California, for the medical services of VPHCS.


FACCHD President Dr. Lilia Hernandez and Pete Mortera turn over checks worth $ 15,000 raised by FACCHD to VPHCS management committee on January 14, 2011.


VPHCS staff pose with Dr. Lilia Hernandez and Pete Mortera (back row).

The services include medical mission endeavors of the VPHCS which involve the physical examination of elementary students in project areas of the VPHCS in Bohol. The physical examination includes the determination of the children’s weights, heights and visual acuity, and check-up of general body systems and dental status. Urinalysis using dipsticks with eight parameters is also done. As a result of the examinations, children with below-normal nutritional status and those with visual, dental, and probable kidney function problems are identified. Those with other illnesses and acute problems can also be properly managed.


VPHCS Doctor Volunteer Dr. Daryl Baquillos checks up a child.


Dr. Petty de Castro examines a dental patient.


Christopher Bio examines urine specimens.

The first of such physical examinations was conducted in March 2009 under the tutelage of Dr. Lilia Hernandez. Public elementary students 6-12 years old in Barangay Panaghiusa, Municipality of Trinidad in Bohol were seen at that time. Since then, a series of physical examinations of elementary students was conducted in 2009 and 2010, in partnership with different people’s organizations in Cebu and Bohol.

VPHCS staff, volunteer doctors, nurses and health students joined in the medical missions. These missions also gave opportunities for community health workers to exercise the knowledge and skills learned during trainings by the VPHCS.


Getting the visual acuity.


Nursing students during a physical examination in Totolan.

Two otoscopes, an instrument for taking the height, Snellen’s charts and two autoclaves donated by the FACCHD are used in such missions.

The areas in Bohol where such physical examination missions shall be conducted in 2011 include the following: Barangay Caluasan in Dagohoy, Sto. Nino in San Miguel, Totolan and Mayacabac in Dauis, and San Isidro and Busao in Maribojoc. The residents in barangays Caluasan and Sto. Nino are mostly farmers and the residents in Totolan and Mayacabac are mostly fishermen. San Isidro and Busao are also fishing communities. The six barangays are currently project areas of the VPHCS. There are active farmers and fisherfolks organizations in the communities.

After every mission, the physical examination findings shall be collated by the VPHCS and recommendations for proper actions shall be drawn and discussed with the people’s organizations.

This year’s donors include Michael and Josie Pometta of The Uncle Mike Foundation, Drs. Jose L. Castro and Vilma Fule, Drs. Bernard and Nitz Cruz, Aida Fusilero and guests at her birthday celebration, and the many generous supporters of FACCHD from Japan, Canada and the United States.

VPHCS joins Nevada Fil-Am group in outreach program in VSMMC

Members of the Philippine Bisayan Society of Nevada in Las Vegas, Nevada distributed medicines to patients in the pediatrics ward in the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) last January 17, 2011.

This is the third year of the outreach program of the group who came to visit Cebu and joined the Sinulog celebration.

The Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc. through its staff member Dr. Erlinda Posadas facilitated the outreach activity by coordinating with the Department of Pediatrics through its Training Officer Dr. Lilibeth Espinosa and Chief Resident Dr. Elmer Lopez. Medicines were bought from the hospital pharmacy and included life-saving antibiotics, intravenous fluids and other essential medicines.





Ms. Marian K. Pearson headed the group whose members hail from different places in the Philippines including Pangasinan, Iloilo and Cebu and have lived in Nevada for several years now.

The group also met with VSMMC Chief of Hospital Dr. Gerardo M. Aquino, Jr.

Community diagnosis of farming communities in Bohol

A community diagnosis survey of two communities in an ongoing project of the Visayas Primary Health Care Services was recently completed.

The survey was conducted in Barangay Sto. Nino, Municipality of San Miguel and Barangay Caluasan, Municipality of Dagohoy, sites of the ongoing project, “Building Community-based Health Programs to Promote Health and Prevent Disease in Bohol” in partnership with the Asian Community Trust (ACT), Japan's first fund raising-style charitable trust.

The communities have been affected by the failure of the Malinao Dam Project which has worsened their economic situation that in turn affected their health conditions.

The project which started in April 2010 works with the farmers’ organization in Sto. Nino, the Hugpong Mag-uuma sa San Miguel (HUMASA) or the Farmers Association in San Miguel and the farmers’ organization Mga Mag-Uuma sa LACALSANDA Apektado sa Land Levelling (MALALA) (Farmers in Lacalsanda affected by Land Levelling) in Caluasan.

The project centers on capability building of community health workers and leaders of the people’s organizations to launch health programs that answer the health needs of the communities.

The survey gathered data on the socio-demographic profile and health situation including common health problems, causes of deaths, the immunization status and nutritional status of preschoolers, health services available in the community, methods of family planning and nutritional and food practices of the families. Fifty percent of the households were respondents.

Key informant interviews were also conducted among the community leaders in order to complement and deepen the data.

The results of the survey were later discussed among the community leaders and recommendations were drawn that shall be implemented in the second year of the project.

Common health problems identified in the community diagnosis included respiratory tract infections, influenza, hypertension, diarrhea, muscle pains and fatigue, and common infections that can be prevented and managed through continuing health education and basic health services that can be rendered by trained CHWs and project staff.

The survey also recommended a family planning program to be instituted for couples who desire family planning in Caluasan which can be done through information drive regarding different forms of contraception and access of contraceptive commodities.

Malnutrition among children was also identified in both communities which shall be addressed through a nutrition program comprising of health education and information drive on proper nutrition and a feeding program for malnourished children.

Coordination with the rural health units and networking by the people’s organizations with other agencies shall also be done in order to address the problem of the lack of medicines and essential health services in the communities and the existing common practice of home delivery by traditional birth attendants.

The second year of the project shall start in April 2011.

First Health Financing Summit in Cebu

The Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc., is partnering with the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) to host the First Health Financing Summit in Cebu entitled “Universal Health Care: The Role of Health Financing in Achieving Universal Health Care” on January 26, 2011 at the Cebu Institute of Medicine Amphitheatre from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Universal Health Care through better health care financing is seen as the constructive alternative to many of the current solutions being undertaken by our Philippine Government when attempting to improve access to health by society at large. It is a response to the need for equitable health care for all Filipinos based on need and not based on ability to pay. Health financing is one of the six building blocks of a health system: governance, health information system, human resources for health, health organization, regulation and health financing.

The one-day activity is expected to bring together local government officials, congressmen, government health officials, mayors, municipal health officers, chiefs of district hospitals, private hospital heads, health maintenance organizations, medical societies representatives, deans of nursing and medical schools, pharmacy owners, health non-government organizations, people’s organizations, pharmacists, and other stakeholders in the health and non-health sectors in Cebu and Bohol.

Speakers include among others, Dr. Soe Nyunt-U, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to the Philippines, Hon. Stephen Lillie, United Kingdom Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go of the Asian Institute of Management, Former Cebu City Health Officer Dr. Tomas Fernandez, Dr. Alvin Caballes of the University of the Philippines- Manila, Dr. Fidelis Quiza of the Cebu Institute of Medicine, Dr. Leizel Lagrada of the Department of Health- Central Office, and Mayor Sonia Lorenzo, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija.

VPHCS seeks accreditation as an NGO from the Cebu City Government

The VPHCS has sought for an accreditation status as a non-government organization (NGO) from the Cebu City Government. It submitted the necessary requirements and application last December to the office of Cebu City Councilor Hon. Sisinio Andales and is expected to be granted accreditation after a resolution to such effect is passed in a City Legislative Council session in January.

As an accredited NGO, the VPHCS can coordinate and work better with the Cebu City Government and avail of financial assistance for its community-based health programs in depressed barangays in the city.

Currently, the VPHCS has partnered with the Pasil Women’s Organization and the Ermita Fisherfolks Association in developing a health program in the two barangays. Health education has been conducted in these communities to raise the residents’ awareness on the prevention and control of common illnesses. Community health workers (CHWs) have also been trained by the VPHCS to render basic home remedies for common complaints.

Project with Asmae ends, programs continue

After nearly two and a half years, the partnership between the Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc. (VPHCS) and the Asmae- Association Soeur Emmanuelle drew to a close in December 2010, bearing fruits that have benefitted the residents of three urban poor communities in Metro Cebu and the VPHCS itself in many indelible ways. The communities include Sitio St. Mary Grace in Talamban, Cebu City, Sitio Back of Matimco in Subangdaku, Mandaue City and Sitio Salvage in Looc, Lapu-lapu City.

Such partnership started in March 2008 with the first six-months phase, “Community diagnosis” of the three communities, followed by the second phase “Promotion of Environmental Health and Child Nutrition” and “Strengthening the Sustainability Aspect of the VPHCS” in April 2009 to December 2009 and the third phase, “Strengthening and Sustaining the Community-based Health Programs” in January 2010 to December 2010.”

In the three communities, health committees are now leading their respective people’s organizations in health services such as basic home remedies, health educations, operation blood pressure, processing and dispensing of lagundi syrup, dengue campaign, nutrition program and cleanliness drives. Monthly health educations on topics such as respiratory tract infections, tuberculosis, hypertension and nutrition have continued to be launched in the communities.

In Sitio Back of Matimco and Sitio Salvage, all health activities are conducted in the health centers that were constructed with funds from the project and labor from the people themselves.


Health education in Back of Matimco


Medical check up of health workers in health center in Looc


Health center in Back of Matimco


Feeding program in Back of Matimco

Common and essential Western medicines are also dispensed and sold with a minimal profit. The residents have welcomed this small pharmacy in the health center that has provided them a very accessible source of essential medicines such as Paracetamol, antacids and amoxicillin. Records of patients and activities are also well kept in cabinets inside the health center.

Twenty-one community health workers (CHWs) from the areas were trained in three basic health skills trainings (BHST) I.

The community kitchen which was started in November 2009 continues to this day in order to sustain the feeding program of malnourished children. Feeding is conducted two times a week. More than 130 children in the three communities have benefitted from the nutritional rehabilitation.


Weighing of children in St. Mary Grace


Nutrition program in St. Mary Grace

In Sitio Back of Matimco, the residents united under their people’s organization, the KALUWASAN, using shovels and pails, carried gravel and land from the reclaimed land and dumped them in between and below their houses and in footpaths and alleys to prevent flooding. Environmental campaign for cleanliness has also been sustained by the youth organized under the D’Visioners Youth Organization collecting the trash and putting them in big garbage drums.

In Sitio Back of Matimco, a communal toilet was also constructed in 2010 inside the health center which is open to the public since the health center is always open. The CHWs take turns in manning the center and ensuring the cleanliness of the toilet.

Another communal toilet was constructed in Purok Yellow Bell in Sitio Salvage in Looc. Residents used to defecate in the seashore beside the purok or simply throw their wastes to the murky waters underneath their houses.


























Community toilet in Looc

A great contribution of Asmae to the VPHCS was the fund raising mission it supported which lasted from January to July 2010.


Training on fund raising with Ms. Lani Bayron

A series of three staff development seminars on fund raising was conducted by Ms. Lani Bayron, fund raising specialist contracted by Asmae. The outputs included the following, namely:

• Training needs analysis on fund raising
• Fund raising organizational policies and procedures
• Resource generation plan for 2010
• Assistance on sustainability planning
• Exploration of foreign and local funders
• Marketing plan for Balay Kahimsog
• Knowledge on social enterprise, program marketing and project development and management.
• Participation by the VPHCS executive director in fund raising seminars in March, June 2010 in Manila with Asmae partners
• Prospect of setting up an endowment or buffer fund for VPHCS.

As a result of the mission, the VPHCSI staff members became knowledgeable on fund raising activities and broadened their understanding about fundraising.

The project has ended but its contributions to the welfare of the people in the communities and the organizational capacity of the VPHCS shall always remain.

Sibonga medical mission held

More than 500 patients from barangays in Carcar and Sibonga were served in a medical mission participated in by the Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc. (VPHCS) in Sibonga Simala Sports Centrum last Dec. 19, 2010.

The medical mission was organized by the Southern Partners and Fair Trade Center (SPFTC), Rotary Club of Banilad Metro (RCBM), VPHCS, Fisherfolk Development Center (FIDEC), Municipality of Sibonga, Punchbowl Baptist Church in Sidney, Australia, and Rural Concerns Network.

Patients came from the barangays of Lamacan, Simala, Banlot, Bagakay, Balaas, Catap, and Kadagit in Sibonga and Bolinawan and Napo in Carcar which have farmers’ organizations that have partnered with the SPFTC in its livelihood programs.


Services during the mission included medical consultations, dental services, blood sugar determination, minor surgery, and general check-up of elementary students.



Medicines and other resources were donated by Fair Trade Friends in Japan, the RCBM, Punchbowl Baptist Church, and Perfectly Natural Herbs and Dunkin Donuts.


The medical team was comprised of VPHCS team Dr. Mark Molina, Dr. Erlinda Posadas, Dr. Grace Molina, Dr. Oliver Gimenez and Cheryl Molina, R.N, Cebu Institute of Medicine graduates Dr. Kenneth Yap and Dr. Larsen Omolon, Dr. Joy Villalon, Dr. Roger Fabian, and volunteer nurses and nursing students.



The SPFTC has been undertaking medical missions in the past years to provide basic medical support to its marginalized and deserving community partners serving 600 to 1,300 individuals in each undertaking.