Labella on distribution of medicines: Use previous system again

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella is asking the Department of Health-7 to restore the previous system used to distribute medicines to the residents of the different barangays and not disrupt it because it has already been proven to work.

This after Labella said he found out the distribution of medicines to the residents will be handled by newly-assigned Barangay Health Workers.

"However, as these BHWs have just been recently assigned by the city, it is an undeniable fact that these personnel are not yet equipped with the necessary training in the dispensation of medicines as provided above. With this, further distribution of these medicines would prove to be detrimental to the health and safety of the recipients," Labella's letter read.

The medicines distributed to the residents are for hypertension, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases.

DOH-7 will give the said medicines to the City Health Department and newly assigned BHWs are the ones assigned to distribute these to the residents.

Labella said he wants to avoid disruption of the distribution of medicines so he suggested the former system must be restored wherein the medicines will be coursed through the barangay captain tasked for the distribution with the aid of well-trained BHWs.

In a separate interview, CHD officer-in-charge Dr. Alma Corpin said that the newly-assigned BHWs were given authority to give out the medicines pursuant to the program of Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

She added the newly-assigned BHWs have already been trained to carry out the task. In fact, trainings and orientation for newly-assigned BHWs took two weeks, said Corpin.

"Every day na sila, ang tambal for tomorrow karon ihatod.. .ana ba, ang Saturday and Sunday kay sa Friday i-distribute," she added.

Just before he sat down as mayor earlier this year, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña promised to give out free medicines to the public.

However, Association of Barangay Council Vice President and Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman said the new BHWs were not the right staff to distribute the medicines to the residents.

"They weren't trained by DOH or City Health or in any health agency concerned," he said.

"Under Paragraph 7 of Local Government Code of 1991 Section 391, the barangay has the authority and power to regulate the use of multi-purpose and other similar situated facilities constructed with government funds that includes health centers," Ayuman added.

Councilor Mary Ann Delos Santos, deputy mayor on health, encouraged the barangays to give to the newly-hired BHWs a chance.

Last Monday there was a commotion in some barangays such as Punta Princesa, Paril, and Pamutan after some barangay captains did not allow the new BHWs to enter the barangay health centers. They said it was the prerogative of the executive department to hire them.

"You cannot whimsically and capriciously not let these new BHWs enter. They are there to serve. Palihug lang dili lang nato apilon ang serbisyo sa barangay kay kining BHWs gibutang na dinha. We have trust and confidence that they can serve the respective barangays. Atong tagaan og kahigayunan ug oportunidad ang kining bagong BHWs nga moserbisyo," she earlier said.

According to Ayuman, Paril officials appealed to the CHD to withdraw the assignment of new BHWs so as not to disrupt the distribution of medicines.

Earlier, Association of Barangay Councils president and Tisa Barangay Captain Philip Zafra said he trusts more the experience of the BHWs who have been serving for several years.

As Osmeña assumed office he directed CHD to evaluate the serving BHWs on their performance. After this, only 200 out of 540 were rehired after they ended their contract in June. (FREEMAN)