Valenzuela BHWs pass training
BARANGAY health workers (BHWs) in Valenzuela City would now be more knowledgeable and skilled in terms of local management in the field of health services after completing training at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).
Initially, some 150 BHWS received their certificate of completion after they underwent Tesda’s Barangay Health Service NC (national certification) II training, said Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian, who hailed on Friday, February 2, the local government’s partnership with the former.
“This partnership we had with Tesda was really significant because this would boost the potential of our barangay health workers in responding to the emergency medical cases in their respective villages,” Gatchalian said.
Some of the skills that BHWs acquired from the short course were applying basic first aid, working within a community development framework, implementing health promotion and community interventions, and immediate response to emergency situations, among others.
Gatchalian congratulated the first batch of BHW “graduates” as he shared his future plan for them.
“The unceasing support to all our health workers reflects the commitment of the city government to upholding the best quality and efficient health services to the residents,” he said.
The mayor said he will push the renovation of the Alternative Learning System building in Barangay Parada and transform the same into a school exclusive for BHWs.
“I want a permanent school for BHWs but not only for the city but will also cater to those outside Valenzuela, I mean a national school for BHWs,” Gatchalian told The Manila Times via Viber.
Alongside the awarding of the NC II certificates, the City Health Office (CHO) also recognized the continuous satisfactory service of the BHWs who rendered 10, 15 and 20 years of service with loyalty certification.
Prior to this, the CHO said the first batch of 31 BHWs also graduated from the same course in 2023.
The initiative was in partnership with Synergeia Foundation and Johnson & Johnson.
The CHO said it is now planning the next batches of BHW trainees that will undergo the Tesda course to cover all the 328 barangay health workers in the city.