Underrecognized benevolence

BHWs as frontline health advocates in communities

COMMUNITY SERVICE comes naturally to most, especially in times of emergency, as Filipinos are known to be sympathetic and compassionate.

But it takes a genuine heart to be in voluntary social work for several decades, despite having no compensation and the challenges that come with old age. This is what makes a mark worthy of people’s praise and respect.

If there is a sector that should be recognized for its service to the community, it would be the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). Receiving zero salary, the most financial compensation they get is an honorarium ranging from P1,000 to P2,000 per month.

Still, BHWs choose to serve because of their willingness, determination, and, more than anything, a calling of their hearts to be at the forefront of extending the government’s health programs at the grassroots level.

From providing basic health education and selected primary health care services to linking clients to health facilities, a community without dedicated BHWs is bound to face crises, as health concerns are one of the reoccurring problems in communities that, if given little to no attention, could be detrimental.

A BHW for 42 years, Violeta Gicana, a resident of Barangay

Bagumbayan, Guimbal, Iloilo, began volunteering in 1982. Before this, she was a barangay technician for health.

Being a high school graduate was never a hindrance for Gicana. She has even been chosen as the BHW president of Guimbal and the BHW Provincial Federation President of Iloilo.

Gicana’s job as BHW is to monitor health programs and health problems, from the youth to the elderly, in her coverage of 20 households in their barangay.

She goes around the community, taking blood pressure (BP), campaigning for the health programs of the Iloilo provincial government and Department of Health (DOH), and monitoring those who are sick and referring them to the Rural Health Unit (RHU) or health facilities if needed.

“Every BHW ang ratio is 1:20 households. Kon maglibot kami kag may makit-an kami nga naga-ubo kag nagahina ang panginaon, so ginarefer namon ria sa RHU or midwife para at least mamonitor ang ila health status,” said Gicana, who not only volunteers in their barangay but also helps at RHU-Guimbal from Monday to Friday.

W i t h t h i s , B HWs ’ indispensable role in facilitating the work of health workers is emphasized.

“Kon may referral ang pasyente coming f rom barangay at least indi na sila mag- stock up sa admission kay kilohon, kuhaan sang BP, temperature kag kon ano pa ang madugang tapos masulod sa encoding and admission. Pero kon wala sang referral mauti daan maginterview; so at least kon may dala nga referral kundi tawhay lang ang magpasulod sa RHU,” Gicana added.

This field of work opened Gicana’s eyes to many realities, such as when some patients would rather stay at home and bear their pain instead of taking a trip to the doctor, which could be expensive.

Here, she steps in and helps the patient understand that they can ask for assistance from the local government unit (LGU), provincial government, and other national government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, among others.

In her four decades of service, she was most tested during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, when they became frontliners in delivering necessities and other assistance to every household.

In the case of Gicana, the pandemic was more challenging because the first case and first death in the province of Iloilo and Panay Island were listed in their barangay.

“Kis-a nagapangara ang amon doctor, pero siling ko, ‘Doc, nagapamuyong man ako rigya, at least mabal-an mo sa imo kaugalingon nga willing to serve ikaw, naga- try ka man nga makabulig sa isigkapareho mo with precaution sa imo kaugalingon nga indi ka man ma- infect’,” said Gicana.

At 68 years old, it never came to Gicana’s mind to retire soon, as she enjoys her work and the companionship of her fellow BHWs.

Gicana leads the more than 10,000 BHWs in Iloilo province.

Also a BHW, 76- year- old Margarita Lacerna has been serving Barangay Caigo in Maasin for 46 years.

“Happy gid ako sa akon obra, and even though nga nagbarangay captain ako for 15 years, wala gid ako naghalin as BHW,” said Lacerna, who is currently the BHW president in Maasin.

During her tenure as a barangay captain, Lacerna did not receive aP 2,000 honorarium as BHW.

Part of Lacerna’s work is to visit 39 households every week to check on the health condition of her constituents.

“May weekly visit kami para magkuha sang BP, monitors angil a awareness sa campaign on dengue and other health problems, awareness campaign sang rabies, and potable water,” she added.

Lacerna’s capacity was tested even more during the pandemic because they are the ones leading the implementation of border control, distributing family food packs to every household, and contact-tracing suspected cases, putting themselves at risk.

She was more than thankful that she was never infected with COVID-19.

“Sam tan gab lek ag makasarang pa ako i ndi ako maghalin kay basi magmukmok ako sa sulod sa balay kag maluyahan na gid ako,” Lacerna said.

Meanwhile, 58- year- old Merlyn Figueroa has been a BHW in Barangay San Matias, Dingle, Iloilo, for almost 40 years.

“Pagserbisyo kag pagbulig sa mga tawo, happy nga makabulig sa mga tawo,” Figueroa told Panay News, explaining why she stayed as a BHW for decades.

Although Figueroa sometimes thinks of taking a break, she is encouraged by her fellow BHW and the Municipal Health Office, as she has a better grasp on the work as the president of BHWDingle.

“Pero nagpangibabaw ang akon will nga mag- stay lang anay kay kon wala ako dira, daw lain na siguro kag daw na-anad ka na nga ara ka, parti na sang akon routine,” she said.

Currently, Figueroa receives aP 1,000 honorarium per month, which would not even cover her transportation expenses. But her love for the community prevails.

“G ink ad to ankog id ran sanda, kon indi akon sakop ginahambalan ko akon BHWs nga kadtoan and refers a RHU or lap it nga doctor para mabulong dayun,” Figueroa said.

At least 306 registered BHW members in Dingle are under her management.

All three hardworking women — Gicana, Lacerna, and Figueroa — exude the traits that, despite their old age or when faced with challenges in their personal lives and at work, will not stop serving as long as their bodies and minds are capable./

The 76-year-old Margarita Lacerna of Barangay Caigon, Maasin, and a Barangay Health Worker for 46 years, helps the Municipal Health Office and Department of Health personnel during an immunization program.

Merlyn Figueroa, 58, a resident of Barangay San Matias, Dingle, and a Barangay Health Worker for almost 40 years, distributes family food packs during the pandemic.

Violeta Gicana, a 68-year-old resident of Barangay Bagumbayan, Guimbal, who has been serving as a Barangay Health Worker (BHW) for 42 years, leads a meeting with fellow BHWs.