CBHP project with DSWD

The VPHCS has sustained the second year of its health 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 “Building community-based health programs (CBHP) in Cebu through training, education and services,” is 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.

The project works 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). 

A basic health skills training for community health workers.

 VPHCS staff Irish Ramirez talks to residents 
in Canjulao on hypertension.

Health skills trainings have been conducted for 75 CHWs in order to equip them with basic knowledge and skills to render preventive, promotive and selective curative care to the residents. Health education classes are 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 guide, monitor and upgrade the knowledge and skills of the trained CHWs in between trainings as they deliver their health services to the residents.  

 CHW checks up a child with fever in Sitio Back of Matimco

 Dr. Erlinda Posadas talks to women 
in T.Padilla about family health.

 Growth monitoring of children 
in Sitio Back of Matimco.

 Pasil CHW takes BP.

 Ventusa services by a young CHW in Canjulao.

Women in Pasil process ginger powder.

CBHP project with DSWD

The VPHCS continues its health 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 last June 2011, “Building community-based health programs (CBHP) in Cebu through training, education and services,” is 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 include 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.

Members of the Ermita Fisherfolks Association pick lagundi leaves before boiling them into a decoction and a syrup as a cough medicine.

A community health worker in Ermita takes the blood pressure during a regular community clinic.

Health services including operation blood pressure are conducted in the people’s organization’s health center in Sitio Back of Matimco.

The project works 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). 

VPHCS staff Jessica Pejo conducts a health education class for mothers in Canjulao.

Health skills trainings were conducted for 75 CHWs last year 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 guide, monitor and upgrade the knowledge and skills of the trained CHWs in between trainings as they deliver their health services to the residents. More trainings and health education activities are expected to continue this year. 

VPHCS staff Irish Ramirez talks to mothers in Canjulao on nutrition.

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. 

VPHCS Dr. Erlinda Posadas conducts blood sugar screening for diabetes mellitus in T. Padilla.

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.