Medical missions for survivors of the Oct. 15 earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda

In response to the October 15 earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda disasters, the Visayas Primary Health Care Services, rendered medical services to survivors of the calamites. 

Medical and psychosocial support services were held during a relief mission on Nov. 30 in Barangay Bahi, Loon and Dec. 1 in Barangay Triple Union in Catigbian in Bohol, which were affected by the earthquake. More than 400 patients availed of medical check consultations and medicines and more than 100 survivors mostly children also had psychosocial therapy.

 Dr. Erlinda Posadas treats a child with cough in Loon mission.

VSMMC PGI Neil Wahing checks up a patient 

for anemia in Catigbian mission.

The medical services were part of a relief mission organized by the Community Empowerment Resource Network, Inc. (CERNET) with the support of the Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (Protestant Agency for Diakonia and Development) based in Germany. CERNET executive director Dr. Oliver Gimenez led the team of the relief mission. Residents of the two and neighboring barangay were given relief goods including rice, canned goods, water and other basic necessities. 

PGIs of VSMMC check up patients in Loon medical mission.

A volunteer psychologist counselor 

in play therapy in Catigbian mission.

The medical missions were supported by the Task Force Carabao – Germany and the Panaghugpong sa mga Mag-uuma ug Mangingisda sa Loon and the Hugpong sa Mag-uumang Bol-anon. 

The medical team was composed of VPHCS staff and volunteers Dr. Erlinda Posadas, Irish Grace Ramirez, R.N., Lourdes Geolin, Dalaguete MHO Dr. Jose Edgar Alonso, Dr. Ma. Jecyl Amaya-Radam, Dr. Roentgen Amaya, Dr. Grace Molina, Edgar Gahisan, R.N., Mark Balingit, R.N., 13 post-graduate interns of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) led by Dr. Neil Wahing, six volunteer psychologists led by VSMMC psychologist Ma. Antonella Codeneira, and nursing students belonging to the Student Alliance for Community Health Services (SACHS) based in Tagbilaran City. 

A pose of the medical and relief team in Bahi, Loon.

A pose of the medical and relief team in Catigbian.

The VPHCS also sent a medical team to a medical mission held in barangays Tindog, Don Virgilio, Panugwawan and Lamintak Sur in Medellin on December 4-7, 2013 which was severely affected by Typhoon Yolanda. The medical services were held together with distribution of relief goods for survivors of the typhoon. The relief mission was spearheaded by the Filipino-Americans US based health professionals. More than 1,400 families benefitted from the relief mission. VPHCS team included Irish Grace Ramirez, R.N., Lourdes Geolin and Edgar Gahisan, R.N.

 A barangay health worker attends to patients 

in Lamintak Sur, Medellin.

VPHCS volunteer nurse attends to patients 

in Lamintak Sur, Medellin.

Another team was also sent by the VPHCS to a medical mission in the municipality of Orrmoc and in Barangay Lonoy, Kananga, Leyte. The medical mission was organized by the Samahang Operation Sagip (SOS) which is a medical program of the Council for Health and Development (CHD) that responds to calamities. More than 50 doctors, nurses, psychologists and volunteers rendered medical services for more than hundreds of residents who were affected by Typhoon Yolanda. The VPHCS team included Dr. Jose Edgar Alonso, Irish Grace Ramirez, R.N. and Clay Ordona.

Dr. Jose Edgar Alonso checks up 

a patient in Kananga, Leyte.

 

 Patients in Lonoy elementary school medical mission. 

 Volunteers of the Samahang Operasyong Sagip in Leyte mission.

Appeal for help for Typhoon Yolanda victims

ABAG! Central Visayas

Rebuilding Lives, Empowering Communities

c/o The Fair Trade Shop, Room 102, Jose R. Martinez Building, Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City

Greetings of Peace and Solidarity!

In response to the aftermath of the October 15 earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) disasters that caused thousands of deaths and brought untold damages, devastation and suffering to millions of families, we have formed Abag! Central Visayas to answer the needs for the immediate relief of affected communities and begin their long-term rehabilitation.

Abag! Central Visayas is composed of the Cebu Bohol Relief and Rehabilitation Center (CRRC), Community Empowerment Resource Network (CERNET), Southern Partners Fair Trade Center (SPFTC), Central Visayas Farmers Development Center (FARDEC), Women’s Resource Center of the Visayas (WRCV), Iglesia Filipina Independiente-Visayas Mindanao Regional Office for Development (IFI-VIMROD), Visayas Primary Health Care Services (VPHCS), Visayas Human Development Agency (VIHDA), Fisherfolk Development Center (FIDEC), Foundation for Philippine Environment (FPE) -Visayas Unit and other concerned civil society organizations.

As part of these efforts, we are appealing to you for any financial or material assistance in the form of bottled water, rice, canned goods, medicines, and other supplies that will be distributed to communities in Bohol, Tacloban, northern Cebu, and parts of Leyte and Samar that have not yet been reached by ongoing relief efforts. 

It is a sad fact that the poor and marginalized are the most affected in times of disaster. Your help will not only help them make it through this difficult times but also help them rebuild their shattered communities.

In anticipation of your favourable response, we extend our thanks.

Sincerely yours,

(SGD) Teresisia Jagmoc
Executive Director, CRRC 

(SGD) Oliver Gimenez, MD 
Executive Director, CERNET

(SGD) Geraldine Labradores
Managing Director, SPFTC

Drop In Centers:

1. The Fair Trade Shop
Address: Room 102 Jose R. Martinez Bldg
Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City
Tel. No. 238-2671
Cp. 0939-624 3408
0923-420-4166

2. Farmers Development Center (FARDEC)
Address: # 13 P. Rodriguez St.
Capitol Site, Cebu City
Tel. No. 254-8548, 253-5602
Cp No. 0933-386-8334

3. Community Empowerment Resource Network (CERNET) 
Address: Door 5 Rosdell Apartment
Englis V. Rama Ave., Cebu City
Tel. No. 256-3803, 514-9919
Cp. No. 0918-651-6132
0933-378-5501

For Financial Donations:

Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc (VPHCS)
website: www.vphcs.blogspot.com
email vphcs@yahoo.com
Phone: 011 63 32 512 5928.
Contact person: Dr. Petty Orbeta de Castro DDM

Executive Director
Bank: Banco de Oro, F. Gonzales Branch, Cebu City
Bank Account: Name: Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc.
Peso Account number: 006110005001
Dollar Account number: 106110039631

Task Force Members:

1. Cebu Bohol Relief and Rehabilitation Center (CRRC) – lead agency
2. Community Empowerment Resource Network (CERNET)
3. Central Visayas Farmers Development Center (FARDEC)
4. Bohol People’s Arts Development Center (BPADC)
5. Foundation for Philippine Environment (FPE) – Visayas Unit
6. Fisherfolks Development Center (FIDEC)
7. Southern Partners Fair Trade Center (SPFTC)
7. Visayas Primary Health Care Services (VPHCS)
8. Visayas Human Development Agency (VIHDA)
9. IFI-Visayas Mindanao Regional Office for Development (IFI-VIMROD)
10. Women’s Resource Center of Visayas (WRCV)

Help for Bohol earthquake victims

Dear Friends,

The VPHCS is currently joining other groups in Cebu to solicit relief materials and funds for the victims of the earthquake in Bohol and Cebu. Particularly, we are helping the communities where we have health programs and partner farmers' organizations. (Please visit the website of Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc. for some details). Once more, we are knocking on your kind hearts for help. Donations in cash or in kind will go a long way for relief & rehabilitation of affected communities.

Cash donations may be sent to:

Banco de Oro, account name::Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc. account number: 006110005001 (Peso account) or to

Banco de Oro, Account name: Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc account number: 106110039631 (Dollar account)

Donations in kind may be sent to:
CERNET
Door 5 Rosdell Apartment,
Englis, V Rama Ave., CebuCity,
Tel. 6332-2563803

Thanking you for your kind consideration, I remain

Truly yours,
Dr. Petty de Castro, DDM
Executive Director
VPHCS, Inc.

Health services in ACT project in Bohol continue

Health services continue today in Barangay Sto. Nino in the municipality of San Miguel and Barangay Caluasan in the municipality of Dagohoy where a health program was established by the VPHCS with the support of the Asian Community Trust (ACT) in Japan.

A CHW takes blood pressure of an elderly patient

 Meetings are held in the training center in Caluasan

 Two training centers in the barangays built during the project serve as venues where medical check ups, processing of herbal medicine, ventusa, acupressure, meetings and other services are conducted by trained community health workers (CHW).

Training and health center in Sto. Nino built in the project

Training and health center in Caluasan.

The first year, April 2010 to March 2011 had laid down the groundwork of their CBHP. Capacity building activities were conducted among leaders of the people’s organizations (PO) and community health workers (CHWs) which subsequently enabled them to provide health information and basic services to the people such as home remedies for common health complaints. 

In the second year, the CHWs whose skills were further enhanced through additional trainings, guided the people to better understand about nutrition, family planning and contraception, hypertension, control of acute respiratory tract infections, and control of diarrheal diseases, among others. Trained CHWs also promoted early health seeking behavior, continued to render basic health services, and identified and referred hypertensive patients. 

 Processing of an herbal medicine for cough

The three years of the project from April 2010 to March 2013 have witnessed how the farmers in the two barangays through their organizations, the MALALA or the Mag-Uuma sa LACALSANDA Batok sa Land Levelling (Farmers in Lacalsanda against Land Levelling) in the barangays have collectively addressed their long-standing health problems towards the goal of reducing the prevalence of preventable and communicable diseases in their communities.

The second year also started a nutrition program to address the problem of malnutrition among preschoolers in both barangays.

Feeding in Caluasan

 A family planning program provided access of contraceptive commodities to benefit couples in Caluasan who desired to limit the number and space their children.

With special skills trainings, the CHWs were able to sustain their ongoing health campaigns including the nutritional rehabilitation of malnourished children, promotion of proper nutrition, family planning, control of hypertension, and provision of essential herbal and rational Western medicines. 

  CHW Caluasan Cherrie rendering acupressure to a patient.

Sto. Nino CHW Teresita doing ventusa on a patient

Networking with local government officials, health center personnel and non-government agencies further enabled the people’s organizations to address the problem of the lack of medicines and essential health services and generate support for their health programs. 

The third and last year that ended in March 2013 further sustained the tremendous gains garnered in the first two years. 

Indeed, community participation was the key through which the people led by their organizations, formulated, implemented and evaluated their respective community health plans to ensure that they truly addressed their health needs. 

CBHP project with DSWD ends

The VPHCS has concluded its two-year capability-building project funded by the Bayan Muna Party-List and supported by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in five barangays in Cebu.

The two-year project which started in June 2011, “Building community-based health programs (CBHP) in Cebu through training, education and services,” was implemented in Barangay T. Padilla, Sitio Ermita Proper in Barangay Ermita, and Sitio Lawis in Barangay Pasil in Cebu City, Sitio Back of Matimco, Barangay Subangdaku in Mandaue City, and Barangay Canjulao in Lapu-lapu City. Beneficiaries in the barangays included 310 households in Barangay T. Padilla, 240 households in Sitio Ermita Proper, 220 households in Sitio Lawis, 160 households in Sitio Back of Matimco, and 500 households in Barangay Canjulao.

Community health workers attend basic health skills training

The project worked with people’s organizations in the communities, including the Pundok sa Sitio Para sa Kauswagan (PSPK) in T. Padilla, Ermita Fisherfolks Association in Ermita, Pasil Women’s Association in Pasil, KALUWASAN in Sitio Back of Matimco, and the Nagkahisang Kabus sa Lapu-lapu in Canjulao. They have health committees with community health workers (CHWs). 

Health education on dengue fever in Canjulao

A series of health skills trainings of three levels were conducted for 75 CHWs in the five barangays in order to equip them with basic knowledge and skills to render preventive, promotive and selective curative care to the residents. Health education classes were also conducted among residents in the areas to promote health awareness with the aim to empower them in terms of health care delivery on common health problems that can be prevented in the community level. The VPHCS staff also guided, monitored and upgraded the knowledge and skills of the trained CHWs in between trainings as they delivered their health services to the residents.

Health education on acute respiratory infection in T. Padilla

The project is highly significant today with the prevalence of common health problems that can be addressed in the community level. It has been observed that people seek tertiary care in the hospitals when they are already affected with serious illnesses that could have been prevented in their early stage in their homes. With increased health awareness and capacity in knowing, preventing and taking care of their own health needs through home remedies and indigenous resources in their communities, the incidence of serious illnesses and preventable ailments can be lessened. Eventually, the high cost of hospital care which unfortunately is now generally shouldered from out-of-the pockets can also be lessened. In the long term, quality of life can be enhanced.

Community health workers making lagundi syrup for cough in Ermita

Community health workers doing ventusa in Canjulao

Pencil for a Cause

The Students Alliance for Community Health Services (SACHS) based in Tagbilaran City, with staff of the Visayas Primary Health Care Services led by VPHCS Bohol project coordinator Dr. Grace Molina conducted the 5th Pencil for a Cause Project in Barangay Tinibgan, Municipality of Maribojoc, Bohol last June 8. 

The annual activity of the SACHS was held in the Tinibgan Elementary School in coordination with the Tinibgan Farmers Organization.

A total of 110 children of families belonging to the organization received school supplies including pencils, ball pens, notebook, pad paper, eraser, sharpener, paste, scissors, white plastic envelope, and ruler. 

SACHS members gave a lecture and demonstration on personal hygiene and proper hand washing to the students before the distribution of the school supplies. Parlor games were also conducted later for the children who all had fun and enjoyment. 

The activity is a yearly project of the SACHS which was organized by the VPHCS in Bohol. The student organization with members coming from different nursing schools including University of Bohol and Holy Name University in Tagbilaran City has been very active in medical missions and community outreach programs initiated by the VPHCS.

Operation circumcision held

More than 600 boys were served in the series of operation circumcision (tuli) organized and participated in by the Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc. in April and May.

VPHCS staff, volunteers and students of the Gullas College of Medicine rendered the annual summer services in eight communities. They were held in cooperation with the local people’s organizations, local government units (LGU) or other non-government organizations.

Students of Gullas College of Medicine 

in the St. Mary Grace, Talamban circumcision

They included the following, namely:

1. Baclayon, Bohol on April 10 with the LGU of Baclayon and Students Alliance for Community Health Services.

2. Medellin, Cebu - April 25-26 with the Perez Monasque Foundation.

3. Caluasan, Dagohoy, Bohol - April 30 with the local farmers’ organization.

4. Sitio St. Mary Grace, Talamban, Cebu City – May 4 with the St. Mary Grace Neighborhood Association.

5. Tangke, Talisay – May 6 with the Tangke United Fisherfolks Association.

6. Tipolo, Mandaue City – May 9 with the barangay council of Tipolo.

7. Inayawan, Cebu City – May 18 with the Gabriela – Inayawan chapter and Enfants du Mekong Foundation.

8. Bangkal, Lapu-lapu City – May 22 with the Justice and Peace Integrity of Creation – Integrated Development Center.

9. Kinatarcan island, Sta. Fe, Cebu - May 25-26 with the Sto. Nino Basilica Foundation.

 Circumcision in the town cultural center in Baclayon, Bohol

 Nearly 100 boys were served in Caluasan, Dagohoy

 Boys in St. Mary Grace. Talamban awaiting their turn

 Volunteers in the Tangke, Talisay circumcision

Circumcision in Tipolo, Mandaue City 

organized by the local government unit

MedSaves formed

An organization of medical students was recently formed as an offshoot of the series of circumcision missions organized by the VPHCS this summer. 

Gullas College of Medicine students 

in a circumcision mission in Tipolo, Mandaue City, May 9

The Medical Students Association for Voluntary and Exemplary Services (MedSaves) is composed of students from the Gullas College of Medicine who volunteered in the circumcision missions rendered for the residents in urban poor communities in Cebu, Mandaue and Talisay.

 A pose after the circumcision in Tipolo

Their website can be visited through https://www.facebook.com/groups/376703055780412/?fref=ts. 

 

Homeopathy and acupuncture services

The VPHCS was honored this May with the visit of two additional members of the Solidarite Homeopathie (SH) in France.

Angie Gottke, a German homeopath practitioner and Maxime Bousquet, a French acupuncturist came to Cebu with German homeopathic doctor Dr. Norbert Enders in a mission of the SH to render their services for the community-based health programs (CBHP) of VPHCS in Cebu.

Homeopaths Angie Gottke and Dr. Norbert Enders 

in a homeopathic clinic in St. Mary Grace, Talamban

French acupuncturist Maxime Bousquet 

renders acupuncture to a patient in St. Mary Grace

The three alternative medicine practitioners rendered services to the communities in Sitio St. Mary Grace in Talamban and Pasil in Cebu City, Tangke in Talisay City, and Canjulao in Lapu-lapu City. Bousquet and Dr. Enders also followed up patients who were treated in a medical mission joined by the VPHCS last January 30 - 31 in Barangay Planas, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental.

Angie with children in Tangke, Talisay City

Angie checks up a patient in Canjulao, Lapu-lapu City

The three practitioners also brought with them lactose grains and bottles donated by the SH to be processed into homeopathic remedies by the VPHCS. 

The VPHCS is very thankful for their services, the SH donation and the knowledge on homeopathy and acupuncture that they imparted to the staff.

  Angie gives homeopathic remedy Arnica for pain 

to a child before the circumcision in Inayawan

VPHCS staff, Maxime, Angie and Dr. Enders with donation 

of homeopathic remedies from Solidarite Homeopathie

Privatization will affect poor patients, government health workers

For public health workers, serving the Filipino people should always be the government’s priority.

By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – Dante Perez, an occupational therapist working at the Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC) for 16 years said being a health worker for a government hospital is about serving the Filipino people. However, he said, this will not be the case anymore if privatization of government hospitals will push through.

Not only that, Perez added, they too are on the brink of losing their jobs. He said the Department of Health (DOH) admitted that their tenure is in the hands of the company that will take over the new POC. He said they were told by the DOH that they cannot do anything if the new management will lay-off some of its health workers and hospital employees.

Health workers commemorates National Health Workers’ Day 

through a symbolic protest run. 

(Photo by Anne Marxze D. Umil/ bulatlat.com)

This is the fate awaiting health workers, Perez said. They have working for almost 24 hours servicing poor patients and even spend their own money but the government does not care about them.

Click here to continue reading the whole article.

Belgian medical students visit CBHP communities

The VPHCS recently hosted the exposure and volunteer work program of two medical students from Belgium.

Leentje Moons and Marie-Elisabeth Frisque, medical students of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium visited different urban and rural communities with community-based health programs (CBHPs) in Cebu and Bohol last April 19 – May 9. 

Marie-Elisabeth checks up a patient in Ermita, Cebu City 

Belgians Leentje and Marie-Elisabeth renders 

blood sugar testing and blood pressure taking 

in Ermita, Cebu City

They did medical consultations, integrated with the residents in the communities, and learned about common health problems and different aspects of the country including the health care system, education system, politics, and way of living. They also interacted with community health workers and worked with them to render medical services as part of the CBHP goal to promote the people’s basic right to health.

Leentje checking up a patient in Canjulao, Lapu-lapu City

 

Leentje doing circumcision in Tangke, Talisay City

The communities that Leentje and Marie-Elisabeth visited included Ermita, Pasil and St. Mary Grace in Talamban, Cebu City; Canjulao in Lapu-lapu City; Tangke in Talisay City; Caluasan, Dagohoy and Sto. Nino, San Miguel in Bohol. They also saw how brooms are being made from palm leaves in Labogon, Mandaue City, visited the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and the Cebu Institute of Medicine – Community Medico-Social Services (CIM-CMSS) in Paknaan, Mandaue City.

  In Tangke, Talisay City

 Playing with the children in St. Mary Grace, Talamban

With a fisherman's family in Tangke, Talisay City

Leentje and Marie-Elisabeth said they shall pass on their experiences to others in Belgium and to motivate them to come to the Philippines to do voluntary work as well.

With the VPHCS staff