Julita, Leyte – With the completion of the Barangay Health Station in Brgy. San Andres, mothers in far-flung communities availing of its services are no longer at risk and are able to save on costs up to P4, 000.00 in child delivery.
Before, it was so expensive and risky to give birth. People had to prepare a sum of P2, 000.00 – P5, 000.00 for the expenses to be incurred while admitted in the hospital. A patient needs to travel 8 kms from the barangay riding in a motorcycle, which fare is P100.00 per passenger, just to reach the nearest hospital.
Since the completion of the sub-project last November 2009 about 44 mothers already delivered children safely in this breezy, clean, and conducive health center.
Delivery of basic health services were used to have been conducted in a small, unventilated, and uncomfortable old nursery room.
“Sometimes I go on house to house visit just to extend the services to those families who refuse to visit the center,” said Nenita, the Municipal Midwife.
Some communities suffering minor injuries such as bruises, slashes, cuts and burns have to travel to the nearest hospital for first aid and medical treatment.Ironically, some communities were disappointed of the services provided by the medical attendant because they were treated less favorably despite the high amount they spent. This somehow contributed to the refusal of some families to go to the hospital and for mothers to deliver at home.
When the Brgy. Health Station was funded by the KALAHI-CIDSS in the second cycle, not only people in Brgy. Andres benefited the sub-project, but also the 9 nearby barangays. Some barangays in the nearby towns of Dulag, Lapaz, and Burauen also obtained services offered by the center for less costs.
“The community prioritized the sub-project for funding, not only for the advantage of the people within the barangay, but likewise the catchment communities to avail of such services,” Manuel Gerona, the Brgy. Chairman explained.
“Basic health services such as pre & post natal care, injection, immunization, family planning, giving birth and others on maternal and child care services can easily be provided to the communities, ,” according to Nenita S. Abad, Municipal Midwife.
“People with minor injuries, flu, cough, fever and other minor illnesses are also brought to the center for first-aid, check-up, and consultation,” Nenita added.
“I don’t ask fees for
services provided. There are times that some families came to the center with nothing in their pockets. Since medicine is needed by the patient, I just shouldered the expenses just to procure the needed materials and medicine,” Nenita explained.“I don’t leave the center if their patient is admitted. I also sleep with them and take care of their needs. If I need to go to the town, I assign a Barangay Health Worker to look after the patient,” she explained further.
The Midwife also coordinated with the barangay council to ask for financial assistance in purchasing medicine, medical supplies, and even food for the patient.
Even if the patients are from the other barangays, the barangay captain shows concern for them. He doesn’t allow patients to be left behind in the center without someone taking care of them.
The Barangay Local Government Unit provided additional cash counterpart to purchase for floor tiles, divider, cabinets and some equipment needed in the center. They also built a dirty kitchen at the back of the center.
“We decided to have a dirty kitchen so that the patient’s companion could cook there. It could lessen their expenses in buying foods,” Brgy. Captain Gerona revealed.
“The Municipal Local Government Unit provided us an ambulance so that patients of other barangays could easily reach the center,” Brgy. Capt. Gereno added.
Now, the center is preparing documents to process their Philhealth accreditation. However, the center still has to complete the health facilities needed in providing for birth deliveries. The Midwife and the Brgy Council are coordinating with some agencies to avail funds for the procurement of the lacking facilities.