BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) Harmonized Regional Gawad Kalusugan awarding ceremonies last Thursday brought out the best facilities in the implementation of 14 local-based health programs.
Among said programs are: Best Community Health Team; Barangay Health Workers Performance-based, Best in sanitation practices, Best performance in ABKD; Best performance in TB DOTS facility; Best in Local Initiative towards a Leprosy-free municipality; Best performing NBS facility; 100% coverage School-Based immunization for grades 1 and 7; Outstanding Smoke-free Environment; Functional Inter-Local Health Zone; Best Performing Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Functional Mobile NBS Teams, Sandugo Awards for Outstanding Local Executives, and Mother-Baby Friendly facilities.
Keynote speaker DOH Regional Director Lakshmi Legazpi hailed the health workers heroes in their respective areas of responsibility, “you, with passion and dedication, brave the waters and mountains to serve the people in far-flung places.”
Assistant Regional Director Amelita Pangilinan echoed this, saying the health workers’ services above self and personal interests, have helped transform communities.
With the Duterte administration presently focused on new goals and challenges for the Philippine Health Agenda and the implementation of the Universal Health Care, the foremost goals are the Filipinos’ protection from health-related impoverishment, inequity and inequality, Pangilinan further said. Excellent service for all, without queing, frowning, or red tape is expected in all health centers, she added.
In the community health team award, Bakakeng Central health team garnered third place with cash and plaque awards; as Baguio city health workers also is third place, with Mountain Province and Benguet, as second and first place, respectively.
Upper Rock Quarry, Loakan Proper and Imelda Marcos barangays of Baguio City were given special recognition awards in Best Sanitation practices, for performance-based barangay health workers.
Saint Louis University Sacred Heart Hospital (SLUSHH) and Notre Dame de Chartres Hospital (NDCH) received awards for best performing hospital in epidemiology and surveillance unit; preparedness, response and control, together with other hospitals in the region.
For the smoke-free environment for health facilities, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) placed second, with Benguet Provincial Health Office and Conner, (Apayao) District Hospital as 3rd and First place, respectively.
Rebecca Guanzon, Helen Tiwaken and Purita Guanzon were given awards for years of anti-tuberculosis service.
For mother-baby friendly centers with emphasis on breastfeeding and maternity facilities, SLUSHH and Baguio Medical Center (BMC) were awarded, together with regional, provincial, municipal and district hospitals. This was the program championed years back by the late Dr. Natividad Clavano which focuses on skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in, and exclusive breastfeeding for mother and child.
Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (ABKD) awards were given for areas without or a decrease in Dengue cases for years, with policies, meetings, assemblies, search activities and budgetary requirements. Loakan-Apugan barangay was recognized.
Aurora Hill and Lucban districts were recognized as best performing Tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (TB-DOTS) or short course chemotherapy, medical facility; with City Camp Rural Health Unit garnering third place, with a plaque and cash prize.
For the Newborn screening (NBS) facility where winners are ascertained by reports from the medical centers; NDCH, BMC and Pines City Doctors’ Hospital (PCDH) were given special awards with plaques, NBS kits and supplies. Newborn screening is a blood test for “certain genetic, endocrine, metabolic disorders,” and also “critical, congenital heart defects which are not apparent at birth.
Dr. Luisa Paran, Chief, DOH Local Health System bid the medical and health heroes as foundations for a healthy generation as all programs are anchored on the theme, “All For Health towards Health For All. **juliegfianza
