by Lyle Formilleza, Romblon News | Tuesday, 28 June 2016
Department of Health (DOH) – MIMAROPA (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) provided additional twenty more bicycles to Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in the provinces of Occidental Mindoro and Marinduque.
A total of 45 bicycles were already provided for BHWs in MIMAROPA to be used in their delivery of basic health services in far flung communities where transportation is limited and roads are narrow. “These are the only means of transportation that is fast and efficient which can convey our BHWs to reach distant areas timely,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo stated.
“These will only be given to selected and deserving BHWs who have demonstrated exemplary effort in their work in the communities where they are assigned,” he emphasized.
Janairo added that the bicycles are also useful as a commuter vehicle and they are equipped with a hamper and basket which can easily carry blood pressure apparatus, first aid medicines and health kits.
Thirteen of the twenty bicycles were given to Marinduque and seven units to Occidental Mindoro. The regional office started providing bicycles to BHWs on June 2014 in Balabac, Palawan were five deserving BHWs were given.
Janairo assured that the regional office will continue to provide more assistance to BHWs to support them in their daily task of providing health care to the community. “We need to make available everything a BHW requires including trainings, medical apparatus, communication gadgets and transportation for them to be able to respond to emergencies and most important is to keep the community healthy as they go from house-to-house to provide medical assistance,” he affirmed.
A BHW is a volunteer health worker who has undergone a BHW training program accredited by government or non-government organization and accredited by the Local Health Board of the province.
