Quality health care reaching far flung areas in MP

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Utmost delivery of quality health care in the barangays of the province is expected with the sharing and learning of the best health practices of the different Community Health Teams (CHTs).

CHTs from the Bontoc Ili of Bontoc, Banguitan of Besao, Madongo of Sagada and Bagnen Oriente of Bauko recently visited barangays in Paracelis and Natonin that are recognized for their best health practices.

Among the barangays visited are Butac and Alunogan, both of Natonin; and Butigue and Palitud of Paracelis.

The CHT is composed of the punong barangay as the chairperson, the midwife as the co-chairperson. Members include the Kagawads who chairs the committee on health, education and environment, barangay health workers (BHWs)/ barangay nutrition scholars, traditional birth attendants, at least two elders, representatives from church groups/ non- government organizations, day care workers, school head in the barangay, Parents Teachers Associations and others as may be deemed necessary by the body.

Butac CHT headed by Punong Barangay Onofre Baguinit shared their best practice entitled, “Senapang’s System Revolving Assistance.” Of the P10,000 provincial aid they received in 2009, they decided to make use of the P8,000 as a revolving medical assistance fund.

Since its inception, this best practice benefitted 10 recipients in 2010 and 12 in 2011. Until now, this is a continuing practice which does not only help the constituents of Butac, but also, it encourages cooperation and accountability among the beneficiaries.

Barangay officials of Alunogan and members of the CHT under the leadership of Punong Barangay Perry Liwanen narrated on how they came up with their Good Sanitation Practices.

Accordingly, before 1960’s to 1970s, drinking water was taken from the spring. Animals like pigs are freely roaming around and scatter their manure anywhere as there was no pigpen. These unsanitary practices affected the health conditions of the commu-

nity specially the children who are most vulnerable to diseases such as scabies, itchy skins, cough and colds, boils and intestinal worms.

To address this, numerous ordinances were enacted. These include ordinances on prohibition of garbage disposal to non-dumping area; putting up of pigpens in every households; construction of sanitary toilets; community cleaning every end of the month and quarterly cleaning of water. These initiative of the CHT and the barangay officials have improved the health condition of the barangay.

Officials and CHT members of Butigue presented their Proper Ecological Solid Waste Management and pregnancy tracking. The CHT through the leadership of Punong Barangay Russel Capua, adopted R.A. 9003 otherwise known as Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. Thereby, Barangay Ordinance No. 02, s. 2015 was enacted thru construction of Eco-Compost Receptacle (ECR) for Biodegradable Waste, Residual Waste Depot (RWD) for Non-Biodegradable Waste and Compost Pit. They conduct monthly monitoring among the households on the proper waste management.

Households who do not comply of the ordinance are given summon letter three times and failure to comply will not be given barangay clearances when needed unless they pay their obligation. A septic vault was also constructed from the development fund of the barangay. Apart from this, the barangay budgeted for next year an amount for the purchase of an ambulance to be used during emergency cases.

Barangay officials and CHT members of Palitud led by Punong Barangay Andrew Pudlao toured the participants to the birthing clinic which was constructed through “Binnadang System.” The barangay is located 19 kilometers from Poblacion, where the Rural Health Unit (RHU) and Paracelis District Hospital are located.

The CHT narrated that in one of their meetings, they came up with a consensus to solicit for any voluntary amount in every sitio. The first collection was used to purchase galvanized iron, cement and steel bars.

The labor was rendered free by men whereas the hauling of materials was also contributed by barangay officials who were not able to attend the construction.

Women worked side by side with men. Aside from cooking of food for the work force, they also assisted in carrying and passing materials to them. The punong barangay acted as the foreman of this project.

In November 2015, the birthing home became functional. There were five mothers who delivered their babies in this facility. The birthing home does not only cater to constituents of Palitud, but also from nearby barangays of which the latest delivery came from Barangay Buringal. Alpine Killa/MP PIO