City of San Fernando – The provincial government led by Governor Lilia G. Pineda empowered the barangay health workers (BHWs), known as ‘Nanay Health Volunteers’ through lectures on public health issues and illnesses.
The lectures were officiated by medical specialists and government doctors from the Department of Health (DOH) and Jose B. Lingad Regional Memorial Hospital (JBL).
This came as the province conducted on Friday a Health Summit for Public Health Workers at Bren Z. Guiao, Convention Center, this city with a theme,“ Ang malusog na Pamayanan ay susi sa maunlad na Kinabukasan”.
The summit was attended by more than 3,000 BHWs nurses, doctors and other medical practitioners from the different hospitals of the province.
It was graced by Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chairperson on Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Agrarian Reform Environment and Natural Resources.
Assistant Secretary Leonita P. Gorgolon, DOH Region 3 director said that the BHWs play an important role in helping the marginalized Cabalens at the barangay level to be aware with their health conditions.
Gorgolon said Pampanga got the highest budget allocation from DOH in the amount of P60-million utilized for the health infrastructure needs of the different government hospitals and health centers in the province.
For her part Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda urged the BHWs to look after the health needs especially those who are bed-ridden, old age, children with illnesses and extend the long arm of the government in helping them.
She also asked the Cabalens to frequently visit their Rural Health Units (RHUs) for their health consultation.
After the activity, the Governor and Vice Governor Dennis Delta Pineda gave them food packs and P400, 000 or P20, 000 to the BHW president of each town and city intended for their Christmas Party.
Aida B. Bungue
