Medical mission in Panglao

More than 150 children were medically examined last March 26 by VPHCS staff and volunteer doctors, nurses and nursing students in Barangay Doljo, Panglao, Bohol.

The medical examination of the children included the determination of their weights, heights and visual acuity and check-up of general body systems and dental status. Urinalysis using dipsticks with eight parameters was also done. As a result of the examinations, children with below-normal nutritional status and those with visual, dental, and probable kidney function problems were identified. Those with other illnesses and acute problems were also properly managed.

The medical team included Dr. Larsen Omolon, Dr. Glency Sue Senires, Dr. Grace Molina, Mark Loyola, R.N., Lynsy Linao, R.N., Zane Omega, R.N., Cheryl Lisa Molina, R.N., Lina de Castro, and volunteer students of the Students Alliance for Community Health Services (SACHS).

Partners in the activity included the Nagkahiusang Doljoanon sa Panglao (NAGDOPA), Youth against Reclamation (YARE), barangay council of Doljo, local government unit (LGU) of Panglao, Fil-Am Center for Community Health and Development (FACCHD, U.S.A.), Action Solidarite Tiers Monde (ASTM), and the SACHS.

Nutrition program in Lawis, Pasil

A nutrition program shall be conducted starting early April for malnourished children in Sitio Lawis, Pasil by the Pasil Women’s Organization (PWO) in coordination with the Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc.

In a meeting conducted by the health committee of the PWO last March 26, the program was deemed necessary in order to address the problem of malnutrition among children.

Marites Siton, PWO president (extreme right) conducts the meeting on a nutrition program

VPHCS staff Dr. Erlinda Posadas who was present during the meeting reviewed on the topic nutrition, discussing about the basic food groups, the different types of malnutrition, and ways on how to address the problem.

CHW Rosalie Beronio talks about malnutrition common in Pasil

The community health workers (CHWs) shall conduct an operation timbang for children less than six years old, identify those who are malnourished, and institute a feeding program using locally available resources.

VPHCS now accredited as NGO by Cebu City government

The Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc. (VPHCS) was recently accredited as a non-government organization by the Cebu City government.

The accreditation was approved by the Cebu City Legislative Council in its weekly session last March 25 in Resolution Number 12 2557 2011 passed. The resolution is soon to be signed by the City secretary, Vice-Mayor Joy Augustus Young and Mayor Michael L. Rama followed by a certificate of accreditation to be issued by the office of City Councilor Sisinio M. Andales.

As an accredited NGO, the VPHCS can better work with the Cebu City Government and its attached agencies in delivering health care services with partner people’s organizations in marginalized communities in Cebu City. Currently, it has community-based health programs in barangays Pasil and Ermita.

ACT continues support for Bohol project

Further development of the community-based health program in two rural barangays in Bohol is expected to continue this year with the recent approval of the project by the Asian Community Trust (ACT) of Japan.

The ACT committee through its Executive Secretary Mr. Michio Ito informed the VPHCS after a meeting last March 23 of its continued support of the project “Strengthening community-based health programs to promote health and prevent disease in Bohol” in Barangay Sto. Nino in the municipality of San Miguel and Barangay Caluasan, Dagohoy in the municipality of Bohol. There are 25 households (679 population) in Sto. Nino and 402 households (2,132 population) in Caluasan.

Municipalty of San Miguel, Bohol

The project started in April 1, 2010 in partnership with the people’s organizations, Hugpong Mag-uuma sa San Miguel (HUMASA) or the Farmers Association in San Miguel and the Mga Mag-uuma sa Lakalsanda Apektado sa Land Levelling (Farmers in Lakalsanda affected by Land Levelling) in Caluasan. Community health workers (CHWs) were equipped through basic health skills trainings conducted with knowledge and skills to address the health problems in the communities. As a result, they are now leading their respective people’s organizations in conducting health education classes on nutrition and basic home remedies and rendering health services which include operation blood pressure and ventusa.

A community health worker renders ventusa services

Common health problems identified in the community diagnosis in the two barangays last June 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 the trained CHWs.

The second year of the project starting on April 1 aims to sustain the services of the trained CHWs and health awareness raising and promotion among the residents, institute a family planning program in Caluasan and a nutrition program to address the problem of malnutrition, and mobilize the people’s organizations to link with the rural health units and other agencies that would address their health needs.

Additional four basic health skills trainings and four special skills trainings for the 20 trained CHWs, monthly community health classes, and four medical missions shall be conducted in the second year.

The project aims to reduce the prevalence of preventable and communicable diseases in both barangays. by empowering the people’s organizations to deliver basic health information and services in their communities and to manage and sustain their community-based health programs.