BHW’s, important component of the Barangay

BRYAN YUSI PINEDA, RN

Barangay Health Workers, also known as Barangay Health Volunteers, are one of the members of health care providers in the Philippines. They undergo a basic training program usually provided by the Local Government Unit Health Service to provide basic, safe, and effective health care services to the community people, and render primary care services in the community. They provide basic maternal, newborn, and child health services for the all members of the barangay.

A Barangay Health Worker (BHW) is one of the front-liners who provide health care services for the barangay. Barangay health workers are vital in Barangay Health Centers because they provide assistance and support to physicians, dentists, nutritionists, public health nurses, and midwives. Collectively, they are considered guardians of the nation’s health.

A Barangay Health Worker is qualified to provide primary health care services in the community it is serving based on the guidelines given by the (DOH). Here are just a few responsibilities of a barangay health worker: First aid, Equipment sterilization, Assisting in health center activities, Collecting vital statistics, Maintaining records and making reports, Participating in community meetings, Assisting in nutrition education, monitoring and feeding, Assisting in immunization education, monitoring, and dispensing, Assisting in family planning services, Assisting in sanitation and hygiene promotion and education.

But, are these Barangay Health Workers well compensated? What does the government’s approach of keeping these BHW’s?

R.A.7883 is The Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995 which is an Act granting benefits and incentives to accredited BHWs for voluntary health services rendered to the community.

In recognition of their services, all accredited BHWs who are actively and regularly performing their duties shall be entitled to the following incentives and benefits: Hazard Allowance, Subsistence allowance, Training and education and career enrichment programs (TECEPS), Civil service eligibility, Free legal services, Preferential access to loan.

BHW’s are very important part of the community’s fight to the attainment health for all, prevention of diseases, and giving basic nursing care. They are the future’s new hero for their never-ending weariness just to keep the community healthy.